A Los Banos man, who was killed in an accident on San Felipe
Road on Friday night, may have died before the first car ever
struck him, officials said.
Joe Anthony Aguero, 19, of Los Banos may have died on impact
after he reportedly jumped out of his father’s 1998 Chevrolet
Silverado pickup truck, according to officials with the California
Highway Patrol and San Benito County Sheriff’s Department.
A Los Banos man, who was killed in an accident on San Felipe Road on Friday night, may have died before the first car ever struck him, officials said.
Joe Anthony Aguero, 19, of Los Banos may have died on impact after he reportedly jumped out of his father’s 1998 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, according to officials with the California Highway Patrol and San Benito County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators with the CHP and sheriff’s department are still trying to determine the exact cause of death for Aguero because, officials said, there is a possibility he may have died from injuries he suffered when he landed on the asphalt.
Investigators will not know the cause of death until a medical examiner has conducted a complete autopsy. By law, the sheriff/coroner’s office is obligated to determine the cause of death in accidents or any death where a physician or licensed medical professional is not in attendance.
Aguero, a San Benito High School graduate, died in an accident on San Felipe Road located approximately half a mile north of Fallon Road.
The accident happened at about 9 p.m. Friday when Aguero was riding north on San Felipe with his father, the CHP said.
As they approached the Hollister Airport, Aguero reportedly asked his father to drive down Fallon Road, but his father disagreed and said it was best that they go home.
A moment later, Aguero opened the door of the pickup, which was traveling at highway speeds, and jumped out, the CHP said.
Aguero landed in the middle of the road when a white compact car traveling behind the Chevrolet swerved to the right at the last moment, just missing him, the CHP said.
However, a 1997 Ford Expedition, which was traveling behind the compact car, veered to the left and could not stop in time to avoid striking Aguero, the CHP said.
The young man’s loss was a devastating blow to his friends and family.
“He was honestly one of those people who just glowed,” family member Gabriela Candelaria said. “I was always amazed that a young man of his age could be so compassionate toward others.”
Family members said Aguero was very close to his father.
“There was a loving and strong relationship between him and his father.”
Candelaria said Aguero, who played football and other sports for San Benito High School, was a very outgoing and energetic person who led by example.
“He set a great example for young people his age,” Candelaria said.
Aguero’s family said he was also the father of one child.
“And he tried to be the best father he possibly could be,” Candelaria said.
Aguero was an avid San Francisco 49ers fan who loved to listen to music and sing along, his family said.
“His death was not only a loss to his family but the entire community as well,” Candelaria said.
Family and friends have started a memorial fund in Aguero’s name at San Benito Bank in Hollister.
