Memorial For Bicyclist Killed on San Tomas Expressway is Wednesday

Stanislaw Wicka, 59, from Santa Clara was riding his bicycle along the shoulder of San Tomas Expressway on March 12, just as he had several times in the past. Wicka was considered a cautious cyclist by fellow cyclists and friends, so when word spread that he had been killed in a collision, many who knew him were shocked.

"That’s why I was totally shocked," said Louis Tseng, a friend of Wicka's for more than 29 years. "I was supposed to go ride with him on Wednesday and left him a message in the morning and then Thursday I got the phone call from his friend. That was a real shocker."

According to California Highway Patrol, Wicka was struck and killed by a Gold Toyota Camry, driven by a 20-year-old Melanie Souza of San Jose.

Since 2008, there have been nine collisions along San Tomas Expressway involving bicyclists, CHP spokesman D.J. Sarabia said. Only one was fatal.

Wicka's memorial service Mass will take place at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at St. Brother Albert Polish Roman Catholic Pastoral Mission, 10250 Clayton Rd. in San Jose, Tseng told Campbell Patch on the site.

"He’s of the best character that I know," Tseng said of Wicka. "He was a very good person. He has a big heart, very compassionate. I can’t praise him enough. It's very, very unfortunate that this happened."

Related articles:

• Is it Legal to Bike Along the Shoulder of San Tomas Expressway?
• Cyclist Killed on San Tomas Expressway Was a Cautious Rider
• Where in Campbell Do Motorists/Bicyclists Feel Unsafe?
• Bicyclist's Death Leaves Many in Campbell Shocked
• Bicyclist Killed on San Tomas Expressway

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