Driver killed street racing on San Tomas Expressway

One man died after the car he was driving crashed into a tree and caught fire this afternoon in Santa Clara, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was first reported at 12:34 p.m. near the intersection of Homestead Road and San Tomas Expressway, CHP Officer Ross Lee said.

The driver, a San Jose man in his 20s, was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Lee.

Witnesses at the scene told officers the Chevy and another vehicle had been seen racing, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, Lee said.

When the cars came to a stoplight, the Chevy swerved right, striking the sidewalk, and then a tree. The vehicle caught fire but firefighters responded and quickly extinguished the blaze.

Investigators believe the victim died from the impact of the crash and not from the fire, according to Lee.

The other car allegedly involved in the race fled the scene, Lee said.