San Jose man dies nearly two weeks after alleged DUI crash

By Jason Green jason. green@ bayareanewsgroup. com

An investigation concluded Danny Zuniga-Perez rear-ended another vehicle, which caused his SUV to veer off the roadway, roll several times and slam into a tree, according to Lt. Frank Morales.

MILPITAS » One 33- yearold San Jose man is dead and another is in custody following an alleged DUI crash in Milpitas earlier this month, authorities announced Thursday.

The collision was reported about 11: 20 p. m. Jan. 9 on the 1100 block of Piedmont Road, according to Milpitas police Lt. Frank Morales. Officers arrived minutes later to find a black 2005 Porsche Cayenne with major damage.

In a news release, Morales said the driver — identified as Danny Zuniga-Perez — was found inside the SUV with nonlife- threatening injuries. His passenger — identified as a 33-year- old San Jose man — was ejected during the crash and suffered lifethreatening injuries.

The passenger regained a pulse after officers gave him CPR and he was rushed to a hospital.

Morales said officers determined Zuniga-Perez was driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol and arrested him. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose.

An investigation concluded Zuniga-Perez rearended another vehicle, which caused his SUV to veer off the roadway, roll several times and slam into a tree, according to Morales. The other driver suffered a broken ankle and had to be freed from his vehicle.

Morales said the passenger died of his injuries Jan. 12. Zuniga-Perez was rearrested Wednesday and booked into jail on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and reckless driving.

Anyone with information about the crash can contact the Milpitas Police Department at 408586- 2400. Those wishing to remain anonymous can leave a tip at 408- 5862500 or ci.milpitas.ca.gov/ crimetip.