Happy New Year to all!
I will be sending Caltrans a follow up since they should be concluding their investigation soon. I also decided to write a letter to Governor Newsom and all of the decision makers for the petition. E-mails already went out to all of the updated decision makers. So far I heard back from Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo. I'm glad to see him respond so quickly:
Dec 27, 2024, 11:48 AM (6 days ago)
Erica,
Thanks for the email. I read about that accident and story. So terrible.
I will review the petition. Please update me on how this process proceeds.
Greg
Here is the letter I sent out over the Christmas break to Governor Newsom. I couldn't do an attachment so I just copied and pasted below. Thank you again for the support and I'm happy to see the petition continue to grow. Please keep sharing and help reach out to Caltrans too.
Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
December 26, 2024
Dear Governor Newsom,
I am writing to you regarding safety concerns about SR-25, a highway that runs in between Santa Clara County and San Benito County in California.
In October 2024, our community member, Priscilla Jones, was tragically killed in a head-on collision on SR-25. She left behind her loving husband and 3 children. This has devasted our community, Priscilla was very active in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. She owned the churro company, Mmm Churros, which she founded with her husband, Michael Jones. Priscilla was also a 911 Dispatcher for Santa Clara County and was on her way to her night shift when the accident occurred.
Following this accident, I created a petition to install barriers on SR-25 to prevent future head-on collisions. There have been over 514 crashes on this stretch of road which resulted in 27 deaths, not counting Priscilla’s. I know there are many highways and roads that run through California that need attention, but with the increase of population in this area, it’s crucial that safety measures be implemented sooner than later. We hardworking taxpayers deserve safe roads; Priscilla was just trying to go to work and come back home to her family. I truly believe a proper barrier (and lighting, signs, etc.) would have helped prevent this tragic accident. Any life lost on this road is precious, so I want to make sure that none of these deaths are taken for granted.
I have been in contact with Caltrans and awaiting to hear their results from investigating the area. I have also been interviewed by KTVU and KSBW to spread awareness to this crucial issue. This has also been covered by BenitoLink, so the media is showing support as well.
The community wants to see change here and we’re hoping to have our Governor’s support in this.
We need support and we need action taken to prevent more lives being lost on this highway.
We have over 6224 signatures from the petition that I created shortly after Priscilla’s death. It is still gaining support every day. Please view the petition to see comments and signatures, here is the link to the petition:
I wanted to include a comment from former Hollister City Mayor that she added to the petition:
“I am so saddened by the loss of Priscilla, she will be missed by so many. As Hollister Mayor and a Board Member of COG, moving the Highway 25 project forward has been a top priority for me since I took office. While we are making progress and moving the project forward, it is not going to happen tomorrow, and we need immediate protection for our residents. I will be discussing at our next COG meeting and will advocate with the Board to take supportive action. While I am proud that San Benito County was able to install barriers along 25, it is time for Santa Clara County to step up and do the same as soon as possible so we don't lose anyone else! The more voices, the better we will be heard.”
Every day our community puts their life on the line traveling down this road. We are asking for Caltrans to do the right thing and that our Governor will push this agency to do the right thing.
I understand that there is a planned expansion of SR-25, but safety measures are needed sooner than later. We all deserve to come back home safely to our families.
Thank you for your time.
Warm Regards,
Erica Morton