This video has since been submitted to police pending further investigation.
Presumed Santa Clara resident and Redditor /u/OggdoBogdos submitted smartphone footage from earlier yesterday (Feb 13, 2024) to the /r/IdiotsInCars and /r/SantaClara subreddits showing a driver in a 2017 BMW 330i driving on the Guadalupe River Trail, a paved hiking path meant for walkers and cyclists only.
Check out his footage below (Warning: the video below has a piercing sound as OP dropped his phone two days ago, and it’s been making that sound ever since. Their other upload on /r/IdiotsInCars has the audio removed.)
most responsible driver in santa clara
byu/OggdoBogdos insantaclara
The incident took place on the Guadalupe River Trail on a section that runs parallel to Great America, which is next to Levi’s Stadium (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)
Here’s a screenshot of that area below.
As OP’s video shows, a black BMW 3-series is seen purposely driving down this Santa Clara Walking trail.
Unlike some videos of cars driving on trails, this isn’t a case of a driver unsure if they belong there or not, they seem to be fully aware of where they are and aren’t going slow.
The area isn’t empty as there are more than a dozen walkers, dog walkers, joggers, and cyclists visible in OP’s shot.
While not meant for cars, there are several places where someone can technically drive onto the trail.
Here’s a place (linked here) showing an area where a driver can use the disabled ramp to drive up onto the trail.
And here’s a place off the Montague Expressway (linked here and screenshot below), an opening off a major road closest to where this happened, where a car can drive onto the trail.
As mentioned, OP submitted the video to police who should be able to take action as the plates should be easy to make out (8UFA496 ???)
Other Redditors confirmed the above plates belong to a 2017 BMW 330i with VIN WBA8B9C5XHK676431
“Video has been given to the PD so they have all that stuff…”
Driving on a walking trail is in violation of VC 23127 and is, according to Shouse Law, “a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.”
