UPDATE: A second driver has tragically died following a violent head-on collision in San Jose, raising suspicions of DUI involvement. The incident, which occurred last weekend, first claimed the life of 74-year-old Ellen Jo Orcutt, and involved a critical injury to 81-year-old Christian Herbert Hygelund, who succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
The fatal crash was reported around 2:35 p.m. on Saturday on Foxworthy Avenue. According to San Jose police, Hygelund was driving a white 2018 GMC Yukon when he attempted to pass a green 2018 Subaru Forester. Instead of overtaking the vehicle, he collided with it, sending his GMC crashing into oncoming traffic and impacting a blue 2012 Honda CR-V head-on.
Orcutt, the driver of the Honda, died at the scene. Public records indicate she lived approximately a mile from the crash site. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office has confirmed her identity. Orcutt was known as a dedicated community advocate, having devoted her life to aiding the poor and unhoused individuals in the region.
In a heartfelt message on a GoFundMe page set up by her daughter, she expressed the overwhelming challenge of honoring her mother, stating, “She was a lifelong, humble servant of her lord and savior, and dedicated the majority of her life to families in need.” The daughter also mentioned that after covering funeral expenses, contributions would be donated to charities close to Orcutt’s heart.
The investigation into the crash revealed that Hygelund was likely under the influence of alcohol during the fatal incident. The collision marks the city’s 31st and 32nd traffic deaths of the year, a stark increase compared to 44 traffic deaths at the same time last year.
Authorities urge anyone with information about this collision to contact Detective Tori DelliCarpini with the San Jose Police Department traffic investigations unit at 408-277-4654 or via email at [email protected].
As the investigation continues, this tragic event underscores the urgent need for road safety and awareness regarding the dangers of impaired driving. The community mourns the loss of Orcutt, whose life was dedicated to helping others, while also grappling with the implications of another life lost to reckless behavior on the roads.
