Woman, 63, is identified after being fatally struck in front of garbage truck
Authorities believe resident stepped in front of driver’s blind spot
SAN JOSE >> The woman killed by a garbage and recycling truck operator last week in San Jose while taking out the trash in front of her home has been identified by authorities.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office identified her as 63-year-old Gina Kay Cunningham of San Jose. One of Cunningham’s fam- ily members said the fam- ily is declining to be interviewed at this time.
Police responded at 7:49 a.m. Wednesday to the 400 block of Fontanelle Court, off Coyote Road on the southeastern edge of the city, for a report that a person had been hit by a garbage truck, San Jose police said in a news release.
Police spokesperson Officer Steven Aponte said that a woman who lived at a home on the street was taking trash to the curb when she was hit by the truck. Aponte said the woman walked in front of the truck, apparently in the driver’s blind spot, when the crash occurred.
The truck driver stayed on scene when police arrived, Aponte said. Police later stated there was no indication that the driver was impaired.
The hauler belonged to California Waste Solutions, which provides trash and recycling pickup in San Jose, according to police.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic accident that occurred this morning, and our sincerest condolences go out to the individual’s loved ones,” California Waste Solutions said in a statement last week. “CWS is cooperating and working closely with the San Jose Police Department and the City officials, as well as conducting our own investigation to determine the root cause of the accident, but we are not permitted to comment on the ongoing investigation at this time.”
The incident is being investigated as the city’s 11th traffic death of the year and the eighth to involve a pedestrian victim. In all of 2021, 23 traffic deaths involved pedestrians in San Jose; the eighth pedestrian death occurred on June 12.