At a Glance
- Tragic crosswalk collision on Jan 16 killed a husband and left a mother in critical condition.
- The teen driver is cooperative and no drugs, alcohol or speed were factors.
- Community is pushing for flashing crosswalk lights after over 2,500 signatures on a Change.org petition.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights safety gaps near schools and the urgent need for better crosswalk protection.
On Jan 16, a tragic crosswalk collision in Gilroy, California, claimed the life of Andrew Stuart and left his wife, Stacia Stuart, in a critical condition after being struck by a teenage driver. The incident occurred while the couple was dropping their 7-year-old twins at Las Animas Elementary School. The teen driver is cooperating with authorities and no drugs, alcohol or speeding were involved.
Incident Details
The collision took place at the intersection of Charles Lux Drive and Lopez Way, where the parents were walking at a crosswalk. Police reported the crash happened around 8 a.m. local time. The mother was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
- 8 a.m. – Parents drop children at Las Animas Elementary.
- 8 a.m. – Collision with teenage driver.
- 8 a.m. – Mother airlifted; husband declared dead at scene.
The Gilroy Police Department said the teen driver was “being cooperative with the investigation.” They ruled out drugs, alcohol, and speed as factors.
Community Response
The Gilroy Unified School District posted on Facebook that two parents of a Las Animas student and a Rod Kelley Elementary student were involved in an accident. Superintendent Anisha Munshi, Ed.D. wrote, ‘This morning, two of our parents were involved in an accident after dropping their child off at Las Animas. The father died at the scene and the mother was airlifted to a local hospital.’ She added, ‘We are working to provide support to the children, the Las Animas student, and sibling, a student at Rod Kelley Elementary. Onsite counseling services are immediately available to students, families and staff at both schools.’
A LinkedIn post by Amit Samani read, ‘It is with great sadness that I share the passing of Andrew Stuart and his beloved wife Stacia Stuart, who tragically lost their lives following a fatal collision on 16 January. Andrew and Stacia leave behind their 7-year-old twins, who have just lost their absolute rocks. In the coming days, Andrew’s sister, Kelly Younger will be communicating next steps.’
The Gilroy Fire Department and Gilroy Police Department issued a joint statement on Jan 17 expressing deep sadness and continuing support for the victims and their families.
Teen Driver Status
Authorities confirmed the teenage driver is cooperative and that no drugs, alcohol or speed were involved. The investigation continues to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Safety Measures
Over 2,500 signatures have been added to a Change.org campaign set up by Lisa Reese to add flashing crosswalk lights at Las Animas Elementary. The campaign’s description noted, ‘A tragedy struck our community when my cousin and his wife, cherished members of our family and neighborhood, were killed by a reckless driver in the crosswalk behind Las Animas Elementary School.’ It emphasized the crosswalk’s inadequate safety measures.
Key Takeaways
- The fatal collision occurred on Jan 16 at a crosswalk near Las Animas Elementary.
- The teen driver is cooperating; no drugs, alcohol or speed were factors.
- The community has mobilized, gathering over 2,500 signatures for flashing crosswalk lights.
- School officials and emergency services are providing counseling and support.
- The incident underscores the need for improved crosswalk safety near schools.
