San Jose: Authorities identify victim of alleged hit
SAN JOSE — Authorities have identified a 32-year-old San Jose man who died earlier this week after being run over by a driver in what police say was an intentional act.
Leroy Thomas, 32, of San Jose, was found early Monday unresponsive and pinned under a minivan near North Capitol Avenue and Berryessa Road, police said. He died at the scene, and was later formally identified by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office.
The minivan driver had fled by the time police arrived, but an ensuing investigation identified 40-year-old Edward Herrera as a suspect. Herrera was arrested Monday and was booked into the county Main Jail on suspicion of murder, and is currently being held without bail.
Police did not disclose the circumstances of the death, but confirmed that Thomas and Herrera knew each other.
Thomas' family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses and to set up a trust for his two children.
"Our lives will never be the same. He was the light of our family," the page reads.
The death marked the 27th homicide of the year investigated by San Jose police.
Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283 or email Detective Sgt. Ivan Barragan at or Detective Mike Harrington at . Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org .
