A city maintenance worker was struck and killed by a vehicle as
he performed routine street inspections Monday morning, according
to the city of Gilroy.
A city maintenance worker was struck and killed by a vehicle as he performed routine street inspections Monday morning, according to the city of Gilroy.
David Vogel, 40, a full-time employee for the city’s streets division, was struck on Farrell Avenue in Gilroy, and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a city press release.
His body was reported about 11 a.m. As of 2 p.m., no information regarding the driver had been made available by the city or the Gilroy Police Department. The accident is being investigated by the GPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
To his knowledge, Kline said Vogel was the first city employee to die in the line of duty, including police officers and firefighters.
“None others come to mind,” said Kline, who has lived in Gilroy 50 years and worked with the city for 11.
He added, “We’ve had a rough day at City Hall. We’re just very shocked over here.”
Andy Holiday, fire investigator at the Gilroy Fire Department Chestnut Station, was on scene along with other firefighters and city workers. Police blocked the entrance to the street at Monterey Road.
Javier Hernandez, a resident who lives near the scene, said police told him to stay in his home for roughly five hours because of his proximity to the sectioned-off crime scene.
Hernandez said he could see a pair of eyeglasses lying on the street near his driveway. He said he was told to say inside because “maybe we might step on something.”
Vogel’s body was located in front of 90 Farrell Ave., and was covered with a yellow tarp. A number of concerned residents had ventured from their homes and gathered on surrounding street corners.
“During this time of day, it’s pretty quiet here, but they (drivers) have a habit of speeding,” said resident Bernie Keeling. “We have a lot of people that walk up here to the corner store or bus stop.”
Vogel was hired by the city as a part-time employee in April 1997, and as a full-time employee in January 1998, according to a city press release. He held a bachelor’s degree in business and human resources from Sonoma State University.
“David was a valued and dedicated employee who will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. The Gilroy Police chaplains are attending to David’s family and public works employees today,” Kline wrote in the press release.
Staff Writer Blair Tellers contributed to this story.
Check back for updates to this story.
