San Jose woman killed in Santa Cruz DUI crash

(Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

(SANTA CRUZ, Calif.) A San Jose woman died early Wednesday morning during a southbound Highway 1 crash after a high-speed chase in which the driver was under the influence, Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.

The crash happened during a pursuit by the California Highway Patrol around 1:45 a.m. north of Dimeo Lane and through Santa Cruz.

Police attempted to stop the driver of a 2004 Toyota Camry after driving higher than the speed limit, according to CHP.

The driver, identified as 19-year-old San Jose resident Richard Quihuis Jr., exited the highway, hit a curb, and then hit a metal guardrail before catching fire, CHP said.

Quihuis fled the Toyota on foot but was arrested by officers.

Inside the vehicle were two women, 17 and 19 and another man, 20, all San Jose residents.

The 17-year-old was able to exit the vehicle safely and sustained minor injuries. Officers were able to extricate the male and female in the backseat. The man suffered minor injuries, however, the 19-year-old female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Quihuis suffered minor injuries and was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony hit and run and felony evading police.

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