By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – A crash on Buena Vista Avenue Saturday night ended in a road-rage fight between the drivers, passengers and their family members.
No arrests were made after officers with the California Highway Patrol, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Gilroy Police Department responded to the fight at a home on the 1470 block of Buena Vista Avenue near Marcella Avenue, northeast of Gilroy.
Derrick Figueroa, 20, of Gilroy was driving a 1998 Chevy Tahoe on Buena Vista about 9:10pm when the car in front of him, a 1990 Lexus driven by David Navarro, 20, of Gilroy, began to slow down, according to the CHP. Navarro was preparing to turn into a driveway on the street, but Figueroa was unaware of that and attempted to pass the Lexus by crossing into the westbound lane, the CHP said.
As Figueroa began to pass, Navarro turned left into his path and Figueroa broadsided the Lexus in a “very violent collision,” the CHP said. Both cars traveled into the driveway and collided with seven other vehicles parked there.
Some residents in the area confronted Navarro and his passenger, a 20-year-old man from San Jose, and a fight ensued with the residents and drivers. Soon, Figueroa’s family members arrived and joined in the melee. Sheriff’s deputies responded to quell the fight and are investigating the assault and battery against Figueroa and his passenger.
Figueroa and his passenger suffered minor injuries. Navarro suffered a severed finger and a concussion and was transported to Stanford Medical Center. His passenger suffered minor injuries and was not transported. The CHP is continuing to investigate.
Lori Stuenkel covers crime and public safety for the Gilroy Dispatch. Reach her at 847-7158 or ls*******@gi************.com.
