Coroner IDs Santa Clara Man Who Died in Car Accident

Benigno Molina Santiago, 73, died Sunday on I-280 in San Jose

The Santa Clara County Coroner on Monday identified the 73-year-old man who died in a car accident as Benigno Molina Santiago of Santa Clara.

Santiago lost control of his 1983 Chevrolet pickup on Sunday on Interstate Highway 280 in San Jose, according the California Highway Patrol.

CHP Officer DJ Sarabia on Monday said investigators still don't know exactly why Santiago veered onto the ramp connecting southbound I-280 and Highway 17, hitting a dirt embankment and then a tree about 7:50 a.m. CHP officers initially ruled out alcohol as a factor, and said that he was wearing a seat belt. Witnesses told the CHP that Santiago was driving the speed limit of 65 mph.

Santiago was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic was tied up for more than two hours.

Contact Lisa Fernandez at 408-432-4758 or email her at Lisa.Fernandez@nbcuni.com. Follow her at Twitter.com/ljfernandez.

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