Police: Man killed by driver in San Jose chase

A 28-year-old man who was allegedly driving under the influence of methamphetamine and evading police struck a minivan and killed an elderly man Monday morning in San Jose, authorities said.

A California Highway Patrol officer spotted a BMW 325i driving erratically on southbound Interstate 280 and then southbound Highway 101 between 3:15 and 3:20 a.m., said CHP spokesman Ross Lee.

The BMW driver, who officials said was speeding and weaving through traffic, originally slowed down after the officer tried to pull him over on Highway 101, but he soon fled, reaching speeds up to 120 mph as he drove off toward the Yerba Buena Lane offramp, Lee said.

He ran a red light and collided with a minivan in the intersection, officials said. An elderly man driving the minivan died at the scene, while a second man in the victim’s vehicle was critically injured.

The BMW then continued up the on-ramp to Highway 101, but extensive damage disabled the car, Lee said.

The driver was identified Monday morning as San Jose resident Alexander Zumini, who allegedly confessed to using methamphetamine and told the CHP he fled because he believed there was a search warrant for him.

Zumini was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and attempting to evade a police officer, Lee said.

“There will almost definitely be additional charges,” Lee said.

A female passenger in the BMW also sustained moderate injuries, officials said. Zumini, his passenger and the minivan passenger were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Officials did not release the victims’ identities.