Vehicular Manslaughter Charge Filed After Deadly Los Altos Hills Crash

LOS ALTOS, CA — A Santa Clara man faces a felony charge after investigators allege he was distracted behind the wheel when he fatally struck a cyclist in Los Altos Hills earlier this year.

According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, a full investigation began on Feb. 13 after the collision along Foothill Expressway. Over the following months, detectives completed a forensic analysis and developed other evidence, which authorities said illustrated the driver was distracted from the road when he swerved into the bike lane and struck the victim.

Despite life-saving efforts by medics, Maria Jabon, 38, of Los Altos died at the scene. The sheriff's office said the driver, identified as Mesfin Mekonnen, 64, of Santa Clara, remained at the scene and cooperated throughout the investigation. He turned himself in Friday at the Main Jail to face a vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence charge.

"The sheriff's office is saddened by this preventable tragedy and reminds all drivers that avoiding distreactions while driving is crucial for your safety and the safety of others," the sheriff's office said in a statement Tuesday.

Anyone with information relevant to the case can contact the traffic investigation unit at 408-868-6600.