Paulina Verduzco Mendoza Obituary, Death – On Friday night in San Jose, an 18-year-old woman was tragically killed after falling out of a pickup truck while the vehicle was performing donuts in a parking lot, according to police reports. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner later identified the victim as Paulina Verduzco Mendoza from Gilroy.
San Jose Police initially responded to a report of a car accident on Camden Avenue. Their preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 white Ford pickup truck, which was being driven recklessly by an unnamed man, was performing donuts in the lot. The truck had a woman in the front passenger seat and two adult male passengers.
During the reckless driving, the young woman in the front seat fell out of the truck and onto the pavement, where she was subsequently run over by the vehicle. The driver then transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Authorities noted that alcohol played a role in the incident. The driver, along with the two male passengers, remained at the scene. The driver was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, though his name has not been released.
This tragic incident marked the 37th fatal collision and traffic death of 2024 in the area.