Bodies were believed to be from New York, but further
investigation needed
Gilroy – Dental records coroners believed would positively identify the remains of four individuals killed when the Toyota 4-Runner they were in was hit head-on by a delivery truck did not pan out. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s office may have to use DNA to identify the four bodies, California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Armstrong said.
“The coroner said he needed to get a forensic specialist to go over the dental records,” he said.
Initially, the bodies were believed to be from New York after a family called thinking it was their relatives, however, the dental records could not confirm the identities. According to Armstrong, two occupants are believed to be adults, and the other two appear to be juveniles. The bodies are too badly charred to be recognized visually.
“There hasn’t been a positive ID,” a frustrated Armstrong said Friday. “There’s a possibility they could be from New York, but nothing substantiated.
The vehicle was registered in California.
Since the accident, CHP officials have been bombarded with phone calls from across the country of concerned family members and radio stations hoping to learn the identities of the four.
“It’s so horrible,” he said.
The 4-Runner was heading eastbound on Highway 152 between Dunn Lane and the Don Pacheco Y at about 9:20am Tuesday morning when the driver of the delivery truck, 24-year-old Christopher Yu of West Covina, swerved into the lane.
Yu first collided with the left side of a big rig before slamming head-on into the sport utility vehicle.
Both trucks were pushed down a steep embankment and burst into flames, trapping the four individuals inside the wreckage where they died on scene. Yu suffered cuts to his face and was flown to San Jose Regional Medical Center where he was released that same day. The crash closed Highway152 for more than eight hours.
Crash investigators are still trying to determine why Yu veered into the eastbound lane. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
“There’s nothing but theories,” Armstrong said. “At this point I don’t know what charges are going to be made to the (District Attorney).”
CHP Officers will be interviewing witnesses again for more information.
Armstrong said he expects to learn the identities early next week.
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