A driver who crashed while fleeing police over the weekend in San Jose has been charged with homicide and reckless driving after his passenger died in the collision.
Justin Buban, 38, was allegedly driving recklessly when Santa Clara police spotted his gold Buick on Stevens Creek Boulevard about 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
Police said the Buick was speeding, ran several red lights and was driving on the center median and on the wrong side of the road.
Officers caught up to the Buick on Interstate 880 and tried to pull the car over, but the driver didn’t stop. They chased the Buick on I-880, through streets in Santa Clara and into San Jose.
As the pursuit continued into San Jose, the Buick ran a red light and collided with another car at the intersection of Naglee and Park avenues in San Jose. The Buick then hit a traffic pole at the intersection.
The Buick’s passenger, whose name was not released, died at the scene. Two people in the second car were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Buban was transported to a hospital, where he remains in custody. The Santa Clara County District Attorney has filed several charges against Buban, including homicide, reckless driving and driving under the influence causing bodily injury.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact San Jose Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit at (408) 277-4654.