Three people who died when their car went off of U.S. Highway 101 in San Jose, struck trees and caught fire early Sunday morning have been identified by the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office.
Gilbert Gonzales, 34, Bethel Gonzales, 31, and Jorge Godinez, 36, all of San Jose, died in the crash reported shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday on southbound Highway 101 just north of Interstate Highway 680, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Arriving officers found a red four-door 2005 Infiniti sedan engulfed in flames, CHP officials said.
San Jose firefighters extinguished the car fire and found the three victims inside, CHP Officer Ross Lee said.
CHP investigators said it appears the Infiniti was traveling south on Highway 101 when it went off of the roadway. The left front of the car struck a tree, then the vehicle continued and struck another tree, then rotated clockwise, Lee said.
The sedan then went into an embankment and caught fire, he said.
CHP officials said they have not determined whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.
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Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call CHP Officer Miguel Camarena at (408) 467-5400.
