FREMONT, CA: Kiran Pabla, a 24 year old San Jose native, was jogging when she was run over by one of two cars that lost control while racing on the street.
The two men were racing down Yerba Buena Road, a stretch known for speeding, when the cars hit a guardrail, crashing into Kiran Pabla, a young woman jogging near Edenwood Drive. The men, 19 year old Gabriel Becerra, and 24 year old Manual Malonado, ended up losing control of their speeding cars, hitting Kiran Pabla, and pinning her against a tree, where she eventually died.
The drivers have been booked on charges of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving. They face a maximum sentence of six years in prison. The two men did not know each other prior to the race and had no prior criminal history.
The community held a candle light vigil at Fremont Hindu Temple to remember Kiran Pabla. Hundreds of community members came to show solidarity. Dr Romesh Japra, Convener and President of Federation of Indo Americans (FIA) of Northern California, spoke at the vigil and called for action to create awareness and build deterrents to avoid such incidents in future.
At the vigil, Kiran’s family members were very emotional and emphatic that justice should be done and the two drivers be held accountable for their actions and the devastation these two drivers have caused with their senseless behavior. Kiran’s brother Kunal Singh called upon police to be more vigilant and take action to make roads safer.
“My niece was 24. She hadn’t seen a life,” said Samir Mohan, Kiran’s uncle. “I really want to make sure justice is done for the murder they committed … it is no way for a child to die.”
Pabla’s death has sparked residential concern and outrage about a stretch of road known for speeding problems, uninterrupted by traffic lights or stop signs. Police have stated that accident rates are not out of line with comparable San Jose roads but residents of the area are calling for action. Neighbors are horrified and are calling for immediate changes to the dangerous stretch of the road. Neighbors hope this crash will serve as a wake-up call to public officials.
Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
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