By ROBERT SALONGA and JASON GREEN
SUNNYVALE — A driver suspected of plowing into a crowd of people in a busy Sunnyvale intersection Tuesday — injuring eight, including a 13-year-old girl — then stumbled out of his car mumbling “Jesus, I love you,” according to an eyewitness who watched the horrific crash unfold right in front of him.
The FBI is assisting the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety in investigating the incident, which Sunnyvale Capt. Jim Choi said could have been an intentional act based on the drivers lack of attempts to slow down or stop before hitting the victims. In fact, Choi said witnesses told police that the driver might have sped up his dark-colored Toyota Corolla before the rampage ended when he crashed into a tree.
“Based upon initial witness accounts, there is no indication of the vehicle ever trying to brake,” Choi said Wednesday morning. “There is no indication the driver was trying to avoid the pedestrians.”
The registered owner of the Corolla is Isaiah J. Peoples of Sunnyvale, according to DMV records. On Wednesday morning, police were stationed in front of Peoples listed residence in the city.
While noting that police are considering that the crash was an attack, Choi said investigators are “looking at all potential motives” and that there “is no indication of terrorism” in the early stages of the investigation. Choi said Sunnyvale DPS is spearheading the case, and that the FBI was alerted as a matter of course “in case this turns out to be more than the scope of Sunnyvale.”
The FBI affirmed that the agency is on alert in the event any elements of the case fall under its jurisdiction.
“Should it be determined that a federal crime was committed, we will become more involved,” FBI spokesman Prentice Danner said.
Police said several victims remain in area hospitals, but did not immediately provide an update on their conditions Wednesday morning, and scheduled a 2:30 p.m. Wednesday news briefing at the Sunnyvale DPS headquarters.
Officers were called to the intersection of El Camino Real and Sunnyvale Avenue around 6:40 p.m. for a report of a major-injury collision, and arrived to find eight people had been hit by a car. Choi said the driver was traveling westbound on El Camino Real when he hit a group of pedestrians crossing Sunnyvale Avenue in a crosswalk.
San Jose resident Don Draper said he was on the way to visit a friend to watch the San Jose Sharks playoff game Wednesday evening, and had stopped for a red light at the intersection, when he saw the Corolla speeding past his left side.
“I didnt really notice him until about he was directly in front of me, going at least 60 miles an hour,” Draper said. “Several people got hit. One person, a woman, was launched in the right in front of me. She was upside down, feet pointing straight up, flipped around and landed right in front of my car.”
Police say the man continued driving, allegedly striking additional pedestrians on the corner and sidewalk before crashing into a tree. Draper,Read More – Source
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