Coroner identifies two dead in head-on crash on Highway 25 | Gilroy Shipping

Authorities said two people – one from Hollister and one from Gilroy – were killed in a collision on Highway 25 near the border of Santa Clara and San Benito counties.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims of the fatal crash as Erick Javier Andrade, 24, of Gilroy; and Priscilla Paulina Jones, 35, of Hollister.

According to the CHP, at approximately 12:33 a.m. Oct. 28, the California Highway Patrol's Monterey office received a report of a crash on State Route 25 south of Bloomfield Avenue. CHP Hollister-Gilroy officers responded and found two vehicles blocking the roadway and both drivers unresponsive.

The initial investigation revealed that Andrade was driving a 2018 Nissan Sentra southbound on Highway 25 south of Bloomfield Avenue at an unknown speed, police said. Jones was driving a 2012 Dodge Charger northbound on Highway 25, also at an unknown speed.

For an unknown reason, the Nissan veered from the direct direction of travel to the left and crossed the double yellow line into the northbound lane, the CHP said. This caused the front of the Nissan to collide with the front of the Dodge, resulting in fatal injuries to both drivers, who were pronounced dead at the scene.

There were no other occupants in either vehicle. Highway 25 was closed in both directions for about five hours while authorities investigated the scene, police said.

It is not known whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident, police said.

Jones has served as an emergency dispatcher for Santa Clara County for more than seven years, according to a statement from the county's emergency communications office. Specifically, Jones served as a law enforcement and medical dispatcher and as a communications training officer.

According to numerous reports, Jones had three children and co-owned Mmm Churros in Hollister with her husband.

“Priscilla took great pride in her work and in being able to help those around her,” said a statement from the district posted on social media on Oct. 29. “We will always hear her calming voice and how professional and compassionate she was with her.” Caller.

“She provided some much-needed laughter for the rest of us in our free time. Priscilla was certainly proud of being a dispatcher, but she would tell you that her greatest achievement was being a wife and mother of three beautiful children.

“The loss will be heavy on our hearts and our deepest condolences go out to her family and loved ones.”

News of the deaths prompted an area resident, Erica Morton, to start an online petition calling on officials to immediately take safety measures on Highway 25, which has been the scene of numerous traffic accidents over the years that have resulted in injuries and fatalities. According to authorities, these accidents occurred along Highway 25 from the Santa Clara County line to Tres Pinos in San Benito County.

Morton posted the online petition on change.org on Oct. 29, calling on elected officials and transit agencies to install barriers and/or K-rails along the roadway.

“We need our leaders and (Caltrans) to listen to us now,” part of the petition reads. “Many accidents could have been prevented, now it’s time for our voices to be heard.”

Plans to expand Highway 25 have long been in the works as San Benito County has grown rapidly in recent years and traffic volumes have continued to increase. There is no timeline for when construction might begin on the highway expansion project.

Anyone with information about the Oct. 28 collision can call the CHP Hollister-Gilroy office at 408.427.0700.