Adam Johnson, 27 of Morgan Hill, was expecting a baby boy and enjoying his job as a massage therapist when he was struck by a motorist in downtown Morgan Hill Wednesday, Feb. 19, according to those who knew him.
Johnson died two days after the accident due to injuries suffered in the accident, police said. Witnesses told police that Johnson had been walking in the roadway, and for an unknown reason he laid down in the eastern lane of Monterey Road northbound, just south of Third Street, before he was struck.
Johnson was transported to San Jose Regional Medical Center with “major trauma to his head and body” immediately after the accident, which happened about 8:48 p.m., police said. Morgan Hill Police Capt. Shane Palsgrove reported Johnson succumbed to his injuries Feb. 21.
Johnson had been working at Massage Envy in Morgan Hill for about a year before his death, according to his girlfriend Jennifer Mendez, who is about six months pregnant with the couple’s son who they plan to name Zachary Lloyd Johnson.
“Adam is a very caring, sweet, gentle guy who would be anybody’s friend,” Mendez, 24, wrote in an e-mail to the Times. “He would never hurt a fly.”
About two years ago, Johnson decided to become a massage therapist, and he enrolled in the National Holistic Institute in San Jose, Mendez said. He graduated with a 4.0 GPA and three certificates.
“He discovered that he didn’t just have a passion for what he can do, but the gift he had all along to help people out by relieving stress for people that needed to be pain free,” Mendez said.
Johnson started working at Massage Envy last year, and his clients and co-workers were “stunned” to hear of his death, said Massage Envy owner Danielle Fiegel. The company is planning a fundraiser for Johnson and his family for March 14, when Fiegel will donate a portion of proceeds from every massage that day to a memorial fund.
“His clients had nothing but glowing reviews. What a wonderful young man, so professional, great therapist, and we absolutely cannot believe that he is gone,” Fiegel said.
For about two years before his death, Johnson and Mendez had been living with Johnson’s parents in Morgan Hill. Mendez called his parents “the most loving and caring people I’ve ever met.”
Johnson’s family is not planning a public memorial service, Mendez noted in a message on her Facebook page.
More details on the Massage Envy fundraiser and memorial fund will be printed as they are available.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Johnson was not injured and remained at the scene of the collision, police said. The driver did not appear to be intoxicated and was cooperative with authorities.
The driver has not been cited or charged, and the accident is still under investigation, police said.
Mendez said she wants to meet the driver and other occupants of the vehicle that struck Johnson “in person.”
“How can you not see a person laying in the middle of the street at that time of the night when you have the whole area of downtown Morgan Hill all lit up?” Mendez mused.
Adam was my best friend when I was in 7th grade. I remember we used to talk for hours on the phone. We went to Britton Middle School together until I moved away in 9th grade.
When I heard about this 10 years ago it broke my heart.
He was a good guy. I lost touch through the years, but I can only imagine his girlfriend had a loving supportive partner. I bet you his child is going to be a beautiful human. If he was anything like Adam at the age of 12/13 he/she will be a loyal friend. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about how innocent and wonderful it was growing up in Morgan hill. I had many best friends I admit, but Adam was a gentle soul. He was quiet sometimes. But other times very happy and silly. He had this low key smoothe way about him. I can’t explain it. But he had this shyness about him with others he didn’t know. He was reserved at times. Didn’t let everyone in to see what a cool guy he was. He saved it only for his friends. He reserved the best of himself for his friends and family.
I do remember he constantly talked about his sister. It’s been a long time forgive me. I don’t know if she was in the military, OR AWAY. I just remember he missed her when she was away from home. He looked up to her. He also definitely adored his mother. Talked about her often as well.
I hope to look up his Girlfriend and child one day. I’d love to meet them. I don’t know much about Adam past the age of 14(I moved to San Diego). However I remember the long talks about boys and girls, love advice, and school.
I remember we crushed on each other for about a week innocently of course being age 11. But it quickly turned to best friends. We knew right away we were meant to be friends. I remember introducing Adam to my girlfriends and playing matchmaker. Now that I think about it, he had a hint of James dean in him with the girls haha. But in a shyer innocent 12 year old way haha. It’s cute to think about this. I would camp in a tent in my backyard, often having several different friends over. Adam would still call during the sleep overs and we would talk to him for hours. I’ll miss him. I pray all of us will see him again. I also pray he had zero pain.
I feel like it’s important to remember the sweet happy moments people had with us. I hope when I die people will write about the fun memories we had together.
Miss you Adam, and Love to you, your family, Girlfriend, and child ❤️
And I have to add….he looked exactly the same in this picture above 🤣the same as age 12. Wow!