Family, Friends Hold Vigil for Jogger Killed in Suspected San Jose Street Race

Family and friends held a vigil Wednesday night that drew about 100 people to remember 24-year-old Kiran Pabla, who was killed when she was hit by a vehicle that crashed during an alleged street race in East San Jose.

The vigil, held at the crash site, also included a walk to a nearby park where Pabla usually went jogging.

Earlier in the day, Pabla's family and friends yelled and cursed at one of the drivers involved in the suspected street race during his courtroom appearance.

The crash happened just after noon Monday on Yerba Buena Road where police said two drivers were speeding, lost control, then hit and killed Kiran Pabla.

Police said Pabla was in the area jogging when she was hit.

Pabla's family came out of the Santa Clara County courthouse filled with grief and anger after watching one of the suspects get charged in Pabla's death.

A chained Manuel Maldanado Avalos was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. The other driver in the alleged street race, Gabriel Esparza, posted $100,000 bail earlier and is scheduled to be arraigned in two weeks.

Pabla's family and friends erupted in outrage when Avalos' attorney requested his client be released under his own recognizance.

Judge Deobrah Ryan denied the request, but set a hearing on Feb. 5 to consider it. She also set bail at $100,000 and scheduled a court appearance for March 9.

Pabla's family yelled at Avalos in the courtroom, then expressed their frustration outside and emphasized the incident is not a traffic accident.

"I really want to make sure that justice is done for the murder they committed," said Samir Mohan, Pabla's uncle. "I consider this murder -- racing down Yerba Buena at 100 mph."

Family members also added pictures of Pabla to the memorial site and said the evening event will be respectful and loving.

"Just to remember Kiran the way she was," Pabla's cousin, Arti, said of the pictures. "Charismatic, very happy -- can't believe she's gone."

Pabla graduated from Silver Creek High School in San Jose and had been pursuing a degree in business at California State University East Bay in Hayward.

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