SJPD Still Searching for Mercedes Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run

While San Jose police have figured out who a Mercedes involved in a deadly double hit-and-run this week, investigators still haven't found the driver, who ran away from the site on foot.

The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office identified the victims in Monday's early morning hit-and-run as Carmen Zavala, 63, and Cristina De Leon Castro, 62, both of San  Jose. The two friends, on their way to work at Mineta San Jose International Airport as food workers in a Toyota Taris, were broadsided by a silver 2004  Mercedes-Benz.

The crash happened at about 3:15 a.m. after California Highway  Patrol officers spotted the Mercedes speeding on northbound U.S. Highway 101  and followed the vehicle for a traffic stop, CHP spokesman Chris Falkowski said.

MORE: Two Women Killed in Hit-and-Run, SJPD Look for Mercedes Driver

The officers followed the Mercedes as it exited on the First  Street off-ramp and activated their emergency lights, but the Mercedes turned left on Brokaw Road and then sped up on North First Street, running a red light, Falkowski said.

The CHP officers stopped pursuing the Mercedes and deactivated  their emergency lights for safety reasons at Matrix Boulevard.

Moments later, the Mercedes smashed into the Toyota, and the impact was strong  enough to kill the women even though the car's air bags deployed, police  spokeswoman Sgt. Heather Randol said.

The Toyota was so badly damaged that police at first could not verify its make and model, Randol said. 

The two women were employed by HSMHost Corporation. Spokeswoman Sarah Cody said in a statement, "We are deeply  saddened by the loss of Cristina De Leon Castro and Carmen Maria Zavala. Our  thoughts and prayers are with their families at this extremely difficult  time. Cristina and Carmen will be truly missed by their HMSHost family."
 

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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