3 teens killed, 1 injured in illegal street race in San Jose, police say

Three teenagers were killed and another was seriously injured Tuesday when the car they were riding in crashed into a tree during a street race in San Jose, police said.

The dead teens were identified as Anthony Daniel Ramos, 15, of Gilroy and Jayleen Ciriaco, 15, and Oscar Toledo Avila, 18, both of San Jose, according to the Santa Clara Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.

An investigation is underway, but police said the three were inside a Honda Accord that was racing with an Acura.

As the cars sped west on Santa Clara Street near 22nd Street about 10:53 p.m. Tuesday, the Honda lost traction and spun out of control, said police Sgt. Enrique Garcia. The Honda struck a utility pole and spun directly into a tree.

The dark Acura continued driving and has not been located, he said. Police said it appears the teens were driving a car that was stolen in San Jose.

Ramos and Ciriaco were pronounced dead at the scene. Toledo Avila was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. The fourth teen, who was also in the Honda, was in serious condition.

Wreckage from the twisted car was strewn on the roadway as investigators surveyed the crash. Relatives later gathered at the site, where they placed candles and flowers.

A cousin told KNTV-TV that Ciriaco had been a “good girl” when she was younger but fell in with “bad friends” last year.

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