According to San Jose Police, a 17-year-old driver was killed after a high-speed car crash with a tree on a suburban street in East San Jose on Tuesday morning. And his teen girl passenger had to go to the hospital. His death marks the 41st traffic fatality of the year in the city of San Jose.

At 6:48 p.m. officers were called to South White Road north of Norwood Avenue for a report that a white Acura TSX hit a tree. They also heard that the accident trapped two occupants inside the vehicle.

Police said the 17-year-old male driver died at the scene that after officers and emergency arrived at the wreck. His passenger, a 17-year-old girl, went to a local hospital with serious injuries. However, medical officials expect her to live.

The driver was not immediately recognized pending notification of his next of kin. However, the police will most likely release his name after that.

Traffic Fatality Comes After Rear-Ending

The Acura was reportedly speeding in the northbound left lane past Norwood Avenue when it approached the rear of a black Hyundai Electra according to a primary investigation. Officer Gina Tepoorten said the Acura driver clipped the rear bumper of the Hyundai.

That caused the Acura driver to lose control and go off the roadway and hit a tree on the right side of the street. Tepoorten said the impact sheared the tree.

Tepoorten said that the 23-year-old man driving the Hyundai stopped at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The crash remains under investigation. It is the 41st traffic fatality in San Jose this year. That makes this year one of the more deadly years on the road in San Jose’s history.

Anyone with information about the crash can contact San Jose police Officer Brian McMahon at 408-277-4654.