Two women who were residents in a San Jose nursing home were killed after an elderly woman drove through a bay window into the home’s common room Saturday morning .
Esther Bocanegra, 88, a resident at the Amberwood Gardens home in the 1600 block of Peterson Avenue, succumbed to her injuries Saturday, according to the Santa Clara County medical examiner’s office. Suzanne Infante, 100, was the second resident to die as a result of the crash.
Four other residents and one employee were also injured in the crash, which was reported at 9:45 a.m. All seven victims were taken to local hospitals, but according to police, it was initially believed the injuries were not life threatening.
About 10 or 12 people were in the common room when the woman, who is 90, apparently hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, Sgt. Jason Dwyer said. The driver was not injured in the crash.
The woman doesn’t live at Amberwood Gardens and was apparently on her way to visit someone there, Dwyer said. She was interviewed by officers and released at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
A spokesperson for the nursing home did not return calls seeking comment.
The fire department responded to the crash with three engines, a truck and a battalion chief, San Jose fire Capt. Mary Gutierrez said.
The nursing home did not need to be evacuated, Dwyer said.
This incident marks San Jose’s 15th traffic-related fatality of the year.
