Recently Retired Light Rail Dispatcher Hit, Killed By Bus In San Jose

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA -- A retired light-rail dispatcher for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority was killed by a VTA bus near San Jose's Japantown on Thursday evening, VTA officials said.

Milpitas resident Benny Cheung, 60, had recently retired after 37 years with the transit agency when he was killed on March 23. The VTA board honored him for his service in February, according to VTA spokeswoman Linh Hoang.

"We are mourning the loss of Benny Cheung," Hoang said. "Our hearts go out to Mr. Cheung's family, friends and former co-workers."

The VTA has placed the bus operator who hit Cheung on administrative leave, where he's expected to remain until drug-testing results are finalized, part of VTA protocol in collisions.

San Jose police investigators believe Cheung had just gotten off of a bus at North First Street and Hawthorne Way when he was hit around 7:50 p.m., Hoang said.

Police then responded to a report of a man lying in the roadway.

Officers found Cheung unconscious and not breathing with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The only VTA bus that travels down North First Street is Line 66, which extends from Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center through downtown San Jose to Dixon Road in Milpitas.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Getty Images