Police searching for 2nd driver in Cinco de Mayo street racing death
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - Police are still looking for a the driver of a second car involved in a deadly street racing crash in South San Jose on Cinco de Mayo.
One of the cars involved slammed into a pine tree in the middle of Santa Teresa Boulevard near Lean Avenue, killing the passenger.
The coroner identified the victim in Sunday’s street racing crash as 24-year-old David Mandujano.
The San Jose man was a graduate of San Jose State University and a former youth cadet with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Youth Cadet program, who was currently testing to become a police officer with the North Las Vegas Police Department in Nevada.
Tuesday, Mandujano’s initials were carved into the tree where he died in what police say was a DUI-related street racing crash.
Investigators say Mandujano was the passenger in a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am that was racing with another car around 9:55 p.m. Sunday night Southbound on Santa Teresa Boulevard when the driver lost control and slammed into a tree, killing Mandujano.
Police say the driver was under the influence.
“I walked down to the store. I see cars racing by that way. When I was coming back from the store, they were racing back this way. When I got home, I was in the backyard (and) just heard brakes and then crash,” said neighbor Bobby Wishman.
Tuesday, flowers, candles and car parts remained at the scene.
Crews with San Jose’s Department of Transportation inspected two trees that were hit and ultimately decided the large pine tree, with its bark sheared off, had to come down out of concern it could fall.
“The racing is so bad down this street. Santa Teresa is well known for the racing,” said neighbor Alice Rios.
Police are investigating if the drivers of the cars that were racing are related. Officers haven’t spoken with the second driver, who witnesses say was in a black Chevy Camaro.
The Rios family, who can see the memorial from their doorstep, says this marks the latest in a number of crashes along this notorious stretch of road.
“You’ll see motorcycles popping wheelies, racing every day. Now since the accident, which is sad, it’s slowed down. Last night was probably the quietest night we’ve had in our neighborhood,” neighbor Abel Rios said Tuesday.
He and his wife say they feel sorry for the family now mourning and have this message for the survivors.
“Stop racing because your life matters, your life is so important to God. Stop racing. That has to be a testimony so the kids can look at that and say we’re not going to do that anymore,” said Alice Rios.
Family members say the driver of the car that slammed into the tree was Mandujano’s best friend and cousin. He remains in the hospital and police say he faces a minimum charge of felony DUI. In the meantime, both family members and police hope the second driver comes forward.