San Jose: Driver in wrong-way crash that killed mother and son booked on murder charges

SAN JOSE — A 39-year-old Florida man has been arrested in connection with a wrong-way crash last week in San Jose that killed a mother and son, authorities said.

Following his release from a medical facility Thursday, Orlando resident Duncan McQuarrie was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, driving under the influence causing injury, reckless driving and reckless driving causing injury, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Ross Lee.

The fatal collision happened around 3:40 p.m. on Aug. 26 in the northbound lanes of Highway 85 just south of Santa Teresa Boulevard.

Prior to the crash, the CHP received reports about a 2024 Toyota Tacoma traveling in the wrong direction. The driver — identified by the CHP as McQuarrie — crashed head-on into a 2021 Tesla Model Y before officers could stop him, according to Lee.

The occupants of the Tesla were pronounced dead at the scene. They were identified by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office as 47-year-old Rebecca Joanne Olsen and 14-year-old Charles George Olsen, both of San Jose.

Rebecca was originally from Australia and Charles was born in the United Kingdom, the boy’s father Cameron Olsen said in a social media post days after the fatal collision. Both were avid world travelers and 12-year residents of San Jose.

Charles was a gifted child who “took enormous pride” in his knowledge of history and politics, his father said. He had recently started his freshman year at Summit Tahoma High School, where he skipped ahead a year in math and Spanish classes.

“He was very, very unique (and yes, I know most parents say that),” Cameron said. “He was my best friend, my travel buddy and the only person I ever truly felt at home with.”

Anyone with information related to the case can contact the CHP San Jose area office at 408-961-0900.