The Santa Clara Unified community is mourning the loss of one of its own this week. Wilcox High School student Isaiah Mendoza died when he lost control of his car near the intersection of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street on the night of Sept. 20. His car hit a traffic pole. Mendoza died at the scene.

A memorial was formed at the pole. Friends and family left flowers and mementos for the 16-year-old. He is remembered for his warmth and caring heart. Many people left messages for Mendoza saying things like: “Never once failed to make me the best version of myself,” and “I want to thank you for all the memories, laughter, and advice you’ve left me.”

Mendoza was remembered as a “brother” and “teammate” by many because of his roles on Wilcox’s varsity soccer and baseball teams.

He had played varsity baseball since he was a freshman at Wilcox and was a standout catcher for the Chargers. He had spoken to The Weekly in the spring of 2024, when he made an impressive play at the plate, but unfortunately, the call did not go the Chargers’ way.

“I had the ball in my hands and he slid into me and the ball fell out and then he stood there,” Mendoza told The Weekly at the time. “I then grabbed the ball and tagged him before he even touched the plate.”

The runner was ruled safe. The Chargers ultimately lost the game and missed the playoffs. The team improved in 2025 and made the playoffs, finishing as runners-up in the CCS Division II Championship with Mendoza playing a part in the team’s run.

An official report on Mendoza’s death has not been released. The preliminary investigation from the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) found that Mendoza was driving north on Lawrence Expressway toward Benton Street when he made an “unsafe turning movement” that caused the left rear portion of his vehicle to hit the right front portion of another vehicle. The collision caused Mendoza to spin out of control and hit the traffic signal pole at the intersection. Police say Medoza appeared to be going over the posted speed limit, though how much over the speed limit is not known at this time. The driver of the other vehicle is cooperating with investigators.

If you witnessed the collision, you are asked to contact Traffic Investigator Scott Wilson with SCPD at (408) 615-4764. You can also reach SCPD’s anonymous tip line at (408) 615-4TIP.

Santa Clara Unified is working with Kara and the Bill Wilson Center’s Centre for Living and Dying to offer grief support for its students and faculty. For more information, visit scusd.org and search “wellness.”