Pain, disbelief, and a plea for help in the hunt for a hit-and-and run driver who struck and killed an elderly woman in South San Jose.

The fatal collision happened near the intersection of Vista Park Drive and Copperfield Drive off Capitol Expressway in San Jose.

On Friday, KRON4 spoke with the victim’s family.

The victim, a 77-year-old woman, was hit about midway between Copperfield and Hillsdale Avenue.  

Her family is devastated and is calling on the community to help track down the hit-and-run driver.

“It’s a tragic loss,” the victim’s son Vivek Vishwabhan said. “It’s beyond words for me.”

Uma Vishwabhan was killed Thursday evening as she and her husband were crossing Vista Park Drive near their house about 7:30 p.m.

“As they were walking, he said he heard a loud noise, and he turned around and saw my mother flying in the air and fall flat,” Vivek said.

“And this person just hit her and sped away,” the victim’s daughter-in-law Anjuli said. “What kind of community are we living in.”
 
As they shared memories and a few photos of Uma, her family told KRON4 that she had been socializing with friends at nearby Waterford Park where shocked neighbors like Curran Johal saw her lying in the street.

“There’s a lot of people with kids going to the park, and if people aren’t aware of their driving next time, it could be a kid,” Johal said. “It puts you on edge.”

Forensic paint marks the spot where Uma was hit. There are no apparent skid marks.

Police are looking for witnesses and security video as Uma’s family is struggling to cope with their loss while calling on the community for tips that might lead to the alleged hit-and-run driver.

“I saw all the blazing lights of the cars and the EMR’s, people hovering over her lifeless body on the road,” Vivek said. “That scene is etched into my brain. We will have to live with that memory forever.”

Police have no suspects.

The hit-and-run vehicle is described as a dark blue minivan or SUV.

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