San Jose Police Seek Help Identifying Fatal Hit-and-Run Suspect

Authorities say a 41-year-old man was killed in the January 25 collision.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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San Jose police are asking the public for help in identifying a suspect involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident on January 25. The collision occurred between 5:45 and 6:05 p.m. at the intersection of South Bascom Avenue and Borello Drive, where the victim, 41-year-old Roberto Manuel Villarreal, was crossing the road and was struck by the suspect's vehicle. The suspect, described as a 30- to 40-year-old man with a beard wearing a blue sweater, briefly approached witnesses at the scene before leaving with what was believed to be the bumper of his car.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run incidents are a serious problem in San Jose, with the city ranking among the worst in the nation for such crimes. This tragedy highlights the need for improved road safety measures and better accountability for drivers who flee the scene of an accident.

The details

According to the police, the collision occurred around 5:45-6:05 p.m. on January 25 at the intersection of South Bascom Avenue and Borello Drive. The victim, 41-year-old Roberto Manuel Villarreal, was crossing the roadway when he was struck by the suspect's vehicle. Villarreal was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Witnesses described the suspect as a 30- to 40-year-old man with a beard, wearing a blue sweater with either "SJSU" or "SDU" written on it in yellow letters. The suspect vehicle is believed to have been a dark-colored sedan. After the collision, the suspect briefly approached witnesses at the scene before picking up what was believed to be the bumper of his vehicle and driving away.

  • The collision occurred between 5:45 and 6:05 p.m. on January 25, 2026.
  • The victim, Roberto Manuel Villarreal, was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The players

Roberto Manuel Villarreal

A 41-year-old man who was killed in the hit-and-run collision while crossing the road.

San Jose Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the fatal hit-and-run incident and seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect.

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What they’re saying

“Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run last week in San Jose.”

— Stacie Shih, San Jose Police Spokesperson (Mercury News)

What’s next

The San Jose Police Department is urging anyone with information about the suspect or the incident to contact them at 4103@sanjoseca.gov.

The takeaway

This tragic hit-and-run highlights the need for improved road safety measures and greater accountability for drivers who flee the scene of an accident. The San Jose community is being called upon to help identify the suspect and bring some closure to the victim's family.