A suspect who led authorities on a high-speed chase in the South Bay early Monday morning slammed into a minivan in San Jose, leaving the driver of the van dead and a passenger hurt, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Alexander Zumini, who admitted to using methamphetamine before getting behind the wheel, blew through a red light at the intersection of Yerba Buena Road and the southbound Highway 101 exit and crashed into the minivan, CHP officer Ross Lee said. The driver of the minivan was pronounced dead. A passenger suffered critical injuries but is said to be in stable condition.
"This is a very tragic incident," Lee said.
At about 3:15 a.m., a San Jose CHP unit on patrol along southbound Interstate 280 spotted Zumini behind the wheel of a BMW driving erratically, speeding and weaving in and out of traffic, Lee said.
Zumini continued to either drive above the speed limit or stop almost entirely on the freeway before officers tried to pull him over, according to Lee.
When authorities attempted to stop him, Zumini initially slowed down, but then he turned off his lights and sped off, reaching speeds up to 120 mph, Lee said. Zumini then exited the freeway at the Yerba Buena exit and collided with the minivan. Zumini tried to flee the scene on foot, but he was captured.
Zumini was eventually arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Lee. In addition to admitting to using methamphetamine, Zumini said he ran from authorities because he had a felony warrant. Details regarding the warrant were not immediately available.
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Zumini and a passenger in the BMW were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, Lee said.
