Coroner IDs Pedestrian Fatally Struck On El Camino Real

PALO ALTO, CA – A pedestrian struck by a vehicle Sunday night on El Camino Real in Palo Alto has died from the injuries he suffered in the collision, according to Palo Alto police. Tuesday afternoon, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim 52-year-old Menlo Park resident David LeBlanc.

LeBlanc was struck at about 8:25 p.m. Sunday as he was using the crosswalk at the intersection of El Camino Real and Barron Avenue, police said in a news release.

The crash resulted in the closure Sunday night of El Camino Real between Kendall and Barron avenues.

The police department's preliminary investigation of the collision revealed that a Palo Alto woman in her 70s was driving a 2006 Toyota Highlander SUV southbound on El Camino Real when she struck a pedestrian as he walked eastbound on the south side of the crosswalk, said Palo Alto police Sgt. Brian Philip.

Palo Alto police and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene immediately and found that the pedestrian, who was wearing dark clothing, had suffered major injuries, said Palo Alto police Sgt. Brian Philip.

The pedestrian -- later identified as LeBlanc -- was rushed by paramedics to a local hospital but due to the severity of his injuries, he passed away in the early morning hours Tuesday, Philip said.

The SUV driver was not injured in the collision and remained at the scene Sunday night, Philip said. She has been cooperative with investigators, and police do not currently believe drugs, alcohol or speed of travel were factors in the collision, he said.

"The driver has not been cited or arrested, but once the investigation is complete, police will be sending the case to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for review for any applicable criminal charges," Philip said Tuesday.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Palo Alto Police Department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984. Residents can also download the PAPD smartphone app to submit information.

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