San Jose Crash Victims Wouldn't Risk Lives Over 'Random' Street Race, Family Says
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) -- Family members of two men killed in a horrific car crash in San Jose Saturday evening are questioning the police department's assertion that the men were in a street race when they died.
"None of it makes sense. They had a lot to live for," said Benny Lemus about his cousins, 33-year-old Miguel Rodriguez and 26-year-old Ernie Chapa.
San Jose Police say the two men lost control of their Jeep, swerved and smashed head on into a tree on Senter Road in San Jose around 6:30 Saturday night.
Investigators released photographs of a gray BMW and three men were racing the victims when they crashed.
The victims' family, however, says the men would never be that reckless.
"Being a half a block from home, I know that they would not risk their lives over some random street race," Lemus said at a growing memorial for the victims.
Lemus says his cousin Miguel has six-year-old daughter, who he adored. Ernie, the passenger in Jeep, was just promoted to manager at a restaurant supply company, Lemus said.
The victims' family is concerned about a rush to judgment and is imploring the police to conduct a thorough investigation before reaching a conclusion.
"We want them to be remembered for the amazing souls that they were -- not for some random race," Lemus said.