2 killed when stolen vehicle slams into light pole in San Jose

The teenage driver of a stolen vehicle crashed into a light pole in San Jose early Friday, killing two passengers as the vehicle burst into flames, police said.

The driver, identified only as a male juvenile, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, the San Jose Police Department said.

The accident happened around 4:20 a.m. near Cottle and Blossom Hill streets, police said.

The 2018 Hyundai sedan, which was reported stolen from Santa Clara County, was apparently traveling at high speed when it went off the road and crashed into a light pole, police said. The vehicle caught fire.

A male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene and a female passenger died after being taken to a hospital in the area, officials said.

The driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was arrested and committed to the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle and two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The incident marks the first fatal accident of 2023 in San Jose, police said.