San Jose

San Jose Mayor Released From Hospital After Bike Accident

The 48-year-old Liccardo fractured two of his vertebrae and sternum, but he was able to walk across the Regional Medical Center Wednesday

Donning a heavy-duty back brace, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was up and walking in a hospital Wednesday after being struck by an SUV while bicycling on New Year's Day.

Liccardo was released from Regional Medical Center in San Jose at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, with plans to stay home for the weekend, according to the mayor's office.

Liccardo was hit Tuesday about 3 miles northeast of downtown and taken to the hospital with several broken bones, according to a statement from his office.

The 48-year-old Liccardo fractured two of his vertebrae and sternum, but he was able to walk across the Regional Medical Center. 

"I’m told the prognosis is good—although I’ve got a couple months of physical therapy ahead, I expect to be working from home this week, and back at City Hall doing the job I love next week," Liccardo wrote and posted a photo of himself on Facebook.

"Thanks to neighbors like Linda Dutra and Tom who magnanimously helped at the scene, the firefighters at Station 19 for their quick response, the AMR paramedic crew, SJPD, and the hardworking staff at Regional," the mayor continued.

The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and was not arrested. Drugs and alcohol were not suspected, police said.

Police said Wednesday the driver was stopped at a stop sign but pulled out into Liccardo's path of travel, and the mayor crashed into the vehicle. The driver was cited for failing to yield to another motorist.

The mayor is an avid biker and even participated in San Jose's "Bike to Work Day" in May.

On Tuesday, Liccardo joked that "Fortunately, the doctors state that all defects to the head were pre-existing conditions."

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