4 Die In Horrific Highway 85 Crash In San Jose; Driver Arrested On DUI Charges
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Four people were killed and a driver arrested for driving under the influence late Wednesday night in a horrific rollover crash on Highway 85 in San Jose, authorities said.
California Highway Patrol officer Ross Lee said the crash happened around 10:20 p.m. on the highway's southbound lanes, just south of Cottle Road and involved a 2005 Dodge Durango.
The Dodge had six people inside and was traveling at a high rate of speed. At some point, the driver lost control and the Dodge overturned several times, coming to rest on its wheels.
Three male passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, and a woman was taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. A fifth male passenger was hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening.
"Two individuals were ejected out of this vehicle. It hasn't been determined if a seatbelt was worn, or worn correctly," said CHP Officer Mike Sakamoto.
The CHP has identified the driver as Rabbi Kumar Khanna, a 26-year-old San Jose resident, but did not release the names of the four victims -- three men ages 26, 26 and 25, and a 25-year-old woman.
"Alcohol and or drugs we believe are going to be a contributing factor to this collision. Completely preventable," said Sakamoto.
Khanna suffered minor injuries and was booked into jail on a DUI charge. He could also face charges of vehicular manslaughter.
Highway 85's southbound lanes were closed during the investigation being handled by the CHP's Gilroy-Hollister office. Long, dark skid marks across three lanes of the highway that lead to a concrete sound wall could be seen Thursday afternoon.
A witness to the crash who had just been passed by the Durango told investigators the car was driving erratically.
"Per a witness statement, we believe this vehicle was at excessive speeds and was weaving," said Sakamoto.
The CHP says it still does not know the speed of the Durango at the time of the crash, only that it was believed to be above the posted speed limit of 65 mph.
Any witnesses to the crash were asked to contact the CHP Gilroy-Hollister office.
Len Ramirez contributed to this report.
