San Jose: Authorities ID men killed in street racing crash

No arrests have been announced in collision near Snell and Rosenbaum avenues

SAN JOSE – Authorities have identified two men killed in a street racing crash in San Jose over the weekend.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 33-year-old Miguel Angel Rodriguez and 26-year-old Ernesto Chapa, both of San Jose.

The collision was reported about 6:30 p.m. Saturday near Snell and Rosenbaum avenues.

San Jose police said a preliminary investigation revealed that a black Jeep and a gray BMW were racing northbound on Snell, north of Rosenbaum, when the driver of the Jeep, identified as Rodriguez, lost control and slammed into a tree on the east side of Snell.

The BMW stopped and three people got out, but they got back in after viewing the crash scene and drove away, according to police. No arrests have been announced in the case.

Rodriguez and Chapa, a passenger in the Jeep, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Their deaths marked the city’s 32nd and 33rd traffic fatalities of the year.

Anyone with information about the crash or who can identify the occupants of the BMW can contact Detective Eliseo Malvido at 408-277-4654.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or svcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.