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SAN JOSE — A 33-year-old man died in a fiery car crash in East San Jose on Friday night, authorities said.
Officers were called to the intersection of Ruby Avenue and Astrahan Lane about 8:10 p.m. for reports that a car had crashed into a tree, said San Jose police Sgt. Enrique Garcia.
Garcia said the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, described as a 35-year-old man, was taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the men had been speeding northbound on Ruby Avenue in a white 2019 Lexus when they crashed into a tree, Garcia said. The car then caught fire.
Garcia said it wasn’t immediately known if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.
Nearby residents heard the crash and ran outside to help. Valquirio Sousa was among them.
“We tried to open the back door but there was too much smoke,” Sousa said.
Sousa said he wasn’t aware of any similar crashes in the 23 years he has lived in the area.
“It’s a safe street,” he said. “I’ve never seen one crash like that.”
The 33-year-old man’s identity will be released by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office once it has been confirmed and his next of kin is notified.
The death marks San Jose’s 14th traffic fatality of 2020. The city had recorded 11 at this point last year.
Check back for updates.
