Unlicensed Driver Arrested In Fatal South San Jose Crash: Police

SAN JOSE, CA — A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal crash that occurred Thursday morning in South San Jose.

Isael Velarde, 18, of Gilroy, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony hit-and-run, DUI causing injury and being an unlicensed driver, according to the San Jose Police Department.

On Thursday at about 3:46 a.m., officers responded to a major injury traffic crash at Monterey Road and Palm Avenue. Police said a gold 1999 Toyota Camry was traveling north on Monterey Boulevard when the vehicle drifted into the southbound lanes, struck a center median cement guardrail and crashed into a side guardrail.

The vehicle spun out and a passenger was ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle fled north in the southbound lanes and a witness found the passenger in the roadway. The passenger, a juvenile, was pronounced dead at the scene.

California Highway Patrol officers, who were responding to a call about a wrong-way driver on Monterey Road, located the Camry about a mile and a half from the scene of the original crash.

The driver, later identified as Velarde, and an adult passenger were detained, police said.

The identity of the victim was not released Thursday night.

Investigators believe that alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Matt Templeman at 408-277-4654.

—Bay City News