GILROY
– A Morgan Hill man, who told California Highway Patrol officers
he fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into a compact car and
killing the driver, remains hospitalized a week after the wreck in
San Martin.
GILROY – A Morgan Hill man, who told California Highway Patrol officers he fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into a compact car and killing the driver, remains hospitalized a week after the wreck in San Martin.
Ruben Galvan, 42, was listed in fair condition at midday Monday at San Jose Medical Center. It was an upgrade from Friday, when his condition was listed as serious.
Meanwhile, the family of Francisco Mateos, 44, also of Morgan Hill, is keeping their grief private. They did not release an obituary.
CHP officers had not recommended charges against Galvan to the district attorney’s office as of late Monday morning. CHP spokesperson Terry Mayes said investigating officer Roger McCauley has been unable to interview Galvan due to his sedated condition at the hospital.
Vehicular manslaughter is among the charges being considered, CHP spokesperson Brad Voyles said Thursday.
At 11:20 a.m. Monday, Galvan’s Ford Escort sedan was southbound on Monterey Street when it slammed into a row of cars, stopped at the Masten Avenue red light. CHP officers said Galvan was going 50 to 55 mph at the time.
Mateos was driving the first car Galvan hit, a Geo Metro. Mateos died of trauma to the head, neck and chest, according to the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office.
Galvan had a broken sternum and lacerated liver, according to the CHP, and was flown by CALSTAR helicopter to San Jose Medical Center.
Galvan’s car pushed Mateos’ into three other cars at the stoplight, leaving all three drivers with minor injuries.
