Carol Major Killed, Claudio Perez Arrested after Crash Involving Stolen Vehicle on Lawrence Expressway [Santa Clara, CA]

Carol Major Dies in Canta Clara Crash Involving Alleged Car Thief Claudio Perez

 
SANTA CLARA, CA (August 29, 2019) — Officials have identified the woman who died in a crash involving an allegedly stolen car and a ride-share vehicle early Sunday morning.
 
The Santa Clara County Coroner identified the victim as 28-year-old Carol Major of Santa Clara. Her friends said she worked for Apple.
 
Furthermore, the Sunnyvale police said they recognized a stolen 1996 Honda Accord in a strip mall parking lot on Duane Avenue late Saturday night. They then put spike strips underneath the tires hoping to avoid pursuit and make an easy arrest.
 
The officers said 32-year-old suspect Claudio Perez of San Jose got into the alleged stolen vehicle around 1:15 a.m.
 
The officers then activated their lights. They subsequently approached the vehicle to try and detain Perez. However, the suspect sped through the parking lot as soon as they did that.
 
Perez managed to escape because the spike strip failed to puncture the tires of the stolen vehicle. Instead, they fell over and flattened out.
 
The Sunnyvalle officers decided not to pursue Perez because he was driving way too fast.
 
However, Perez ran a red light at Lawrence Expressway and Poinciana Drive as per the Santa Clara police. He then broadsided a Lyft ride occupied by Major and one other person.
 
The ride-share vehicle was making a left turn at the time of the collision. Perez’s vehicle slammed on the rear passenger side door where Major was sitting.
 
Major died at the hospital as a result of the impact. In addition, the driver and the other passenger also suffered serious injuries.
 
Officers later arrested Perez and eventually booked him into jail. He faces murder, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs while causing an injury, evading a police officer, and auto theft charges.
 
The investigators urge anyone who has information about the crash to contact Traffic Investigator Nick Cusimano at (408) 615-4764.

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We offer our most heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Carol Major during this tragic time.

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