A University of San Diego student was fatally struck by a San Diego police vehicle early Wednesday morning on Linda Vista Road, prompting questions from neighbors about why pedestrian safety improvements were never installed.
Investigators said the collision happened around 1:30 a.m. on Linda Vista Road between Goshen and Brunner streets. According to police, a Western Division officer driving a marked patrol vehicle westbound on Linda Vista Road struck the student.
The student, identified only as a man in his 20s, died a few hours later at a local hospital.
The location has long been the focus of pedestrian safety concerns.
In 2016, the city developed a Comprehensive Active Transportation Strategy for Linda Vista that recommended installing a high-visibility ladder-style crosswalk and a pedestrian-activated high-intensity signal beacon near a staircase that serves as a shortcut to and from the University of San Diego campus.
The estimated cost of the improvements was $111,000.
According to the traffic strategy, the recommendation was based on public comments, the area’s proximity to the university and a history of pedestrian-related crashes at the location.
Briley Pizzelanti, who lives near the crash site, said traffic frequently moves quickly along the road.
“As you can tell it is a busy road. People drive pretty fast.”
Pizzelanti and her husband moved into the neighborhood about six months ago. She said her doorbell camera captured an image of the scene after the collision.
“I saw the cop cars. There were some big lights set up. I wasn’t sure what was going on.”
Near the crash site, a staircase provides pedestrian access to and from campus. At the bottom of the stairs are bollards and chain-link fencing. Police said those measures were installed to discourage people from crossing Linda Vista Road at that location.
Neighbor Jen German said the area sees heavy foot traffic.
“Its generally busy. You have USD here and then you got this apartment complex. I mean, just so many people that live here.”
NBC 7 emailed the City of San Diego asking why the recommended crosswalk and pedestrian beacon were never constructed but has not received a response.
Pizzelanti said students often cross the roadway despite the risks.
“The traffic is pretty fast along this road and there are not any walkways a lot of the college kids kind of take a chance.”
The University of San Diego confirmed the victim was a student.
In a statement, a university spokesperson said, “The University of San Diego campus community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our students who was struck early this morning by a vehicle near campus. Out of respect to the family, the university will not release the student’s identity at this time.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.