Luis Cruz Martinez arrested after fatally striking e-scooter rider in San Jose
SAN JOSE, CA, (July 26, 2025) - An electric scooter rider tragically died following a suspected DUI crash Saturday evening in San Jose.
An electric scooter rider was tragically killed Saturday in San Jose after being struck by a suspected impaired driver.
Authorities say the victim was traveling westbound in the bike lane on Capitol Expressway near Tuers Road around 5 p.m. when a Chevrolet veered into the lane and struck him. The rider was transported to a hospital with serious injuries and initially stabilized, but succumbed to his injuries the following day, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Luis Cruz Martinez, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run. Investigators are working to determine whether alcohol, drugs, or both played a role in the crash.
DUI CRASH INVESTIGATION
Alcohol and drug use severely impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, as tragically demonstrated in this crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 30 people lose their lives each day in drunk-driving crashes across the U.S.—approximately one death every 50 minutes. The CDC also reports that drugs other than alcohol are involved in about 18% of all fatal motor vehicle incidents.
Driving under the influence can lead to poor judgment, blurred vision, reduced motor coordination, and slower reaction times—making the roads extremely dangerous for everyone.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a seasoned DUI accident attorney, weighed in on these types of tragic events.
“Beyond the criminal charges, a victim’s family may also have grounds for a civil claim against the at-fault driver,” said Bond. “In addition to law enforcement’s investigation, a civil attorney can conduct an independent review—interviewing witnesses, analyzing surveillance footage, and securing crucial evidence such as phone and text records. An attorney’s role is to support the family through an incredibly difficult time while pursuing justice and holding the impaired driver fully accountable.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS
The family members of the victim killed in this tragic crash may be entitled to a wrongful death claim, which could include compensation for funeral and medical expenses, loss of love and companionship, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“A wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken due to the negligent or reckless actions of another,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When a fatal crash is caused by unsafe behavior—such as impaired, distracted, or reckless driving—families often have the legal right to pursue a civil case against the responsible driver to seek justice and accountability.”
If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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