Suspected drunk driver may have been street racing when he slammed into tree killing passenger

SAN JOSE, Calif. (BCN) - A suspected drunken driver who was reportedly racing another car crashed into a tree Sunday night in San Jose, killing his passenger, police said.

The driver slammed into a tree at Lean Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard at 9:55 p.m. in the city's 15th fatal collision this year. His passenger, whose name has not been released, was killed upon impact, according to police. 

The silver 2002 Pontiac Trans Am had been traveling southbound on Santa Teresa when the driver lost control and hit the tree in the center median, police said.

The driver was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the police.

Sgt. Enrique Garcia said the driver was found to be intoxicated and a witness told police that the Trans Am had been racing with a black Chevy Camaro at the time of the collision.

After being treated, the driver will be booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of felony DUI causing death and other charges.