A San Jose community activist was fatally hit by a car near The Plant Shopping center Wednesday night.
The incident occurred just after 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Perrymont Avenue and Little Orchard Street.
According to San Jose police, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle was cooperating with officers.
That pedestrian was identified as Maria Marcelo, a community activist, by Mayor Sam Liccardo on Twitter.
"Maria fought for the health & safety of immigrant families in Washington-Guadalupe & San Jose. Our hearts break for Maria’s family & friends," tweeted the mayor.
The Santa Clara County coroner confirmed the death of the 47-year-old.
The organization Marcelo founded, Healing Grove Health Center, said that she was killed while crossing the street in the procession of the Virgen de Juquila, a Christmas pilgrimage popular in Oaxaca, Mexico.
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"No doubt about it, Maria died in the line of duty doing exactly the thing she loved the most — practicing Healing Grove’s mission: Sharing the love of Jesus through health care, soul care, and culture care, in order to bring the 'healing of the nations' to our community," said the organization in a statement.
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The community gathered after the loss of their fiercest leader Thursday. Marcelo was an immigrant who used her voice to speak up for other immigrants -- whether the topic was crime, education, prostitution, healthcare and more.
"The victim in this case was trying to help the larger group cross when she went out on Little Orchard and was struck the vehicle," said Christian Camarillo of the San Jose Police Department.
Police said the driver did not appear to be on drugs or alcohol.
"She was doing something to unite her community," said her sister Nancy.
Marcelo always kept an eye on city hall, making sure her community was getting all the services it deserved.
"Very fierce," said Omar Torres, San Jose councilman-elect. "She couldn't take no for an answer."
Torres said Marcelo helped mold him as a youth leader in the Washington District. Making sure he had his priorities straight.
"Already sitting me down and telling me, 'this is what I want to do in the Washington community and you were born and raised there and you can’t forget where you came from,'" said Torres about Marcelo sitting him down during his Election Night party.
Marcelo's community vows her fight is not over.
They are picking up the torch and continuing the tireless work of the woman who stood up for them for so many years.
Police said this is the 59th fatal collision in San Jose this year and the city's 31st pedestrian death this year.
