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Willow Glen toddler run over by dad, dies at Valley Med Center
Tragic incident is eerily similar to a South San Jose accident in January
By Chantal Lamers
San Jose Police are saying the death of a 22-month-old Willow Glen boy appears to be accidental, as homicide detectives gear up for a lengthy traffic collision investigation.
On April 23, Willow Glen resident David Espinola was backing his Chevy Suburban out of his driveway at Atlantic and Delmas avenues when he struck his son, Jacob Espinola.
San Jose police Sgt. Steve Dickson said the 35-year-old father and a relative were on their way to rent movies at a local video store when the accident occurred. Dickson said the boy had been outside playing with family members when he walked behind the SUV.
Jacob was transported to Valley Medical Center after paramedics and San Jose fire fighters responded to a 911 call. The boy died shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
Dickson said there were no indications that David Espinola was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "It looks very much accidental," he said. However, homicide detectives from the Traffic Investigations Unit usually take about three weeks to officially conclude rulings on cases, awaiting blood test results and family interviews.
Dickson said that once investigators finish their report, they'll hand it over to the district attorney, who will decide whether to file criminal charges against the father.
A similar case occurred in South San Jose in January when Thomas Leigh Hogue struck his 2-year-old grandson, Jake Thomas Elby. The 61-year-old grandfather from Arizona was attempting to back his Ford Explorer out of a driveway on Montalban Drive when he struck the toddler.
Jake was transported to Santa Clara County Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Following an investigation, police ruled the death accidental, Dickson said.
Police are requesting anyone who witnessed the accident to contact San Jose police traffic investigator Steve Robinson at 408.277.4654. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the SJPD Crime Stoppers Program at 408.947.7867.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
