Passenger Killed In Early-Morning Crash On Hwy 101 / I-680 Connector Ramp In San Jose
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office has identified a passenger killed in a vehicle on the connector ramp from U.S. Highway 101 to northbound Interstate Highway 680 in San Jose early Saturday morning as 27-year-old transient Laura Banuelos.
The crash was reported at about 1:50 a.m. and a Sig-alert was issued at 2:20 a.m., signaling the blockage of all lanes on northbound 101 near the connector ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP officers received a report of a collision involving two vehicles on the transition ramp.
When officers arrived at the scene there was a green 1999 Honda and a red 2004 Mazda blocking the lanes of traffic, according to the CHP.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the Honda lost control of the vehicle while transitioning onto northbound I-680 from northbound Highway 101, causing the vehicle to crash into the concrete retaining wall, the CHP said.
Following the collision, both the female driver and the female passenger of the Honda got out of the vehicle.
The driver of a Mazda was traveling on southbound Highway 101 onto northbound I-680 and saw the Honda blocking the lanes of traffic, but was unable to avoid striking the Honda, the CHP said.
The force of the collision caused the female passenger who was standing on the ramp to be thrown over the retaining wall, according to the CHP.
She landed on the King Road off-ramp from I-680 below and was declared deceased at the scene, the CHP officials said.
The roadway reopened around 3:15 a.m., and the crash remains under investigation. CHP officials said neither alcohol nor drugs has been determined to be a factor in the collision.
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