Duncan McQuarrie Obituary, Death – The tragic incident that occurred on Monday on Highway 85 in San Jose resulted in the deaths of a mother and her teenage son, as reported by a colleague of the mother to NBC Bay Area.
The victims, a 47-year-old mother and her 14-year-old son, both residents of San Jose, lost their lives when their vehicle was struck head-on by a pickup truck traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 85, near the intersection with Highway 87, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Summit Tahoma High School in San Jose confirmed via email that the boy was a freshman at the institution, and the school is providing support to students as they cope with this devastating news. A coworker mentioned that the mother was employed remotely for an international company and had left her job to pick up her son prior to the accident.
Around 3:40 p.m. on Monday, authorities began receiving reports of a wrong-way driver on Highway 85 near Saratoga Avenue, as stated by the CHP.
The driver of a Toyota Tacoma was allegedly speeding southbound in the northbound lanes of the highway, according to the CHP.
The pickup truck subsequently collided with a Tesla Model Y near the split for Highway 87 and Santa Teresa Boulevard, as reported by the CHP.
The mother and son in the Tesla were pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup truck driver, identified as 39-year-old Duncan McQuarrie from Orlando, Florida, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, according to the CHP.
As of Tuesday, he remained hospitalized with significant injuries and is being held while potential charges are considered.
“At this stage of the investigation, we are certainly contemplating felony manslaughter charges in relation to this incident,” stated CHP Officer Ross Lee. “Additional charges may arise as the investigation progresses.”
McQuarrie’s criminal history includes citations for driving without a license earlier this year, possession of cocaine in 2021, and a DUI in 2013.
It remains unclear whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash on Monday.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the CHP at 408-961-0900.