A Stunning Tragedy Unfolds in Downtown San Jose
The community grieves a devastating loss: Monica Ibarra, a 52-year-old San Francisco resident, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash on Monday morning, September 8, 2025, at approximately 8 a.m., as confirmed by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Monica was riding her electric scooter northbound in the crosswalk at the busy intersection of Santa Clara and Cahill Streets, near the SAP Center in downtown San Jose. At that moment, she was struck by a black 2021 Ram pickup truck driven by an unknown suspect. The shocking crash abruptly ended her life, thrusting the community into collective grief.
Cruel Hit-and-Run by Stolen Vehicle—Justice Still at Large
In a chilling turn, the driver fleeing the scene was not just callous—they escaped in a vehicle later discovered to have been stolen, and it had not even been reported missing prior to the crash . Despite the SWIFT discovery of the vehicle, the driver remains unidentified and at large, evading justice and leaving profound hurt and unanswered questions behind
Andrew, a senior who once crossed paths with Monica regularly, said, “This morning was routine. The next, a life erased.” The senselessness of it is impossible to reconcile.
San Jose now marks its 24th traffic-related fatality of 2025, a grim reminder of how fleeting and fragile life can be behind the wheel—or sharing the road
Remembering Monica: A Life of Grace, Now in Mourning
While the spotlight is on the crime, we must not forget the human soul stolen in the act. Monica Ibarra was more than a victim—she was a friend, a daughter, an advocate in her own quiet way. Her routine commute near downtown San Jose became a catastrophic turning point that community members will not soon forget.
Her family, now in mourning, is calling for help—not just from law enforcement, but from the broader public. Anyone with information—even the smallest detail—can aid in bringing accountability. The San Jose Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit urges anyone with leads to come forward
Monica’s passing should be more than a headline. Let it be a catalyst—for policy change, for safer streets, and for empathy. While the search for justice continues, we can honor her memory by demanding safer environments for all.
Her death is a heartbreaking reminder that tragedy can strike ordinary lives in the blink of an eye. May Monica’s legacy rest in the advocacy for road safety and community care she never got to see blossom.