San Jose, CA : Former GHS counselor dies in traffic collision on U.S. 101 in south San Jose on Sunday, October 26, 2014

A Gilroy man was struck by a vehicle while he was walking across U.S. 101 in south San Jose Oct. 26, according to police. Frank Valadez, 70, was on foot crossing the southbound lanes of U.S. 101 in a western direction, just south of the intersection with Highway 85. He was hit by a Jeep Cherokee traveling south about 7:30 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Herb Kellogg. Valadez was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Just before he was hit, investigators determined that Valadez had been driving in his own vehicle northbound on U.S. 101, Kellogg said. He was exiting onto the Highway 85 northbound flyover when his vehicle apparently struck a concrete barrier on the side of the exit for an unknown reason. Valadez exited the vehicle on foot was walking away from his vehicle when he was hit by the Jeep, police said. Investigators determined before he started walking, Valadez’ car sustained damage consistent with a single-vehicle collision and was “not in a drivable condition,” Kellogg said. The driver of the Jeep, a 24-year-old Hollister woman, remained at the scene, according to police. She has not been charged or cited, and the accident is under investigation. Valadez was wearing dark clothing and “was not easily visible” at the time of the accident, police said. By the time the driver of the Jeep saw him crossing in front of her she “had no time to react,” according to a CHP accident report. The southbound side of U.S. 101 was closed for about two hours while officers investigated the accident, police said. Valadez was a “well respected” counselor at Gilroy High School for several years, according to Morgan Hill resident Julian Mancias. “The students really liked him,” said Mancias, who knew Valadez for several years. “He did a lot for the kids. He took care of his students.” Valadez was married and had three grown children, Mancias added. Source : Former GHS counselor dies in traffic collision