San Jose police arrest Emilio Guel in chain-reaction DUI accident

clock Created with Sketch Beta. April 24, 2026
San Jose police arrest Emilio Guel in chain-reaction DUI accident

SAN JOSE, CA, (April 17, 2026) – An 81-year-old man was killed in a multi-vehicle crash involving an alleged impaired driver late Friday morning in San Jose’s Little Saigon business district.

According to police, the collision occurred at approximately 11:56 a.m. when a speeding Chevrolet sedan driven by Emilio Guel struck a Honda on Story Road at Lucretia Avenue. The impact pushed both vehicles into a Mercedes-Benz, resulting in a chain-reaction crash.

Authorities said Guel attempted to flee the scene but was quickly apprehended by officers. Investigators also determined that he had allegedly been trying to escape from an earlier hit-and-run crash that occurred about two blocks away near Remillard Court.

The 81-year-old man driving the Honda died at the scene. His passenger sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Guel was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, felony DUI, and felony hit-and-run. The investigation remains ongoing.

Incident Location


FATAL DUI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Sadly, impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of fatal and serious injury crashes across California, according to the state’s Office of Traffic Safety.

In 2023, 1,355 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes, marking a 55 percent increase compared to 2014 figures.

Drivers under the influence often experience poor judgment, reduced coordination, impaired vision, and slower reaction times. Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst with Accident Injury News, shared insight on cases like this.

“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-examine key witnesses, review any available surveillance footage, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Acting as an advocate, an attorney can help guide a family through this difficult time, protect their legal rights, and ensure that a drunk driver is held accountable for reckless actions.”


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

The family members of the victim killed in this crash may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim. Loved ones of victims in fatal accidents can seek compensation for loss of companionship, emotional suffering, and other related damages.

“We understand the hardships families face after such tragic events, and protecting their rights is crucial,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal. “A wrongful death attorney can follow the official investigation and help ensure that the family’s best interests are represented. Relatives of wrongful death victims may pursue damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress after a tragic accident.”


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond today

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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