Woman arrested on suspicion of DUI following Hwy 101 fatal crash in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A 44-year-old Fremont woman was arrested following a crash that left another woman dead on U.S. Highway 101 in San Jose early this morning, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

The crash was reported at 2:48 a.m. on southbound Highway 101 just north of Tully Road, CHP Officer Ryan Fifield said.

Officers learned that a blue Toyota Scion had crashed into the center divider, then a red Acura also traveling south struck the Toyota, Fifield said.

The driver of the Scion, a woman believed to be in her mid 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Fifield.

The Acura driver, later identified as 44-year-old Carmen Venegas, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Regional Medical Center of San Jose, where investigators determined she had been driving under the influence, Fifield said.

Venegas was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter, Fifield said.

Three other passengers in the Acura were also transported to the hospital for minor injuries, he said.

Southbound lanes of Highway 101 were blocked for more than three hours as a result of the crash. All lanes reopened as of 6:15 a.m., according to the CHP.