2 Killed After Speeding Car Crashes Off Capital City Freeway

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Authorities say a car went flying off the Capital City Freeway in Sacramento early Tuesday morning, killing two people.

California Highway Patrol says guests staying at a nearby hotel heard the crash just after 1:30 a.m.

Officers say the car may have been speeding in the northbound direction on the freeway when it left the roadway.

“As they approached the Watt Avenue off-ramp, they threaded the needle in between [the] guard rail and off-ramp sign and didn’t hit anything till they left the roadway, hit several trees,” said Ofc. Reuben Franklin with CHP. “Due to speed, [they] cleared a large ravine [and] landed on the other side.”

Both the driver and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Sacramento County Coroner’s office, 29-year-old Sean Denzel Powers and 30-year-old Gilbert Wayne Benamati died in the crash. It’s unclear which man was driving.

CHP is investigating exactly what caused this crash. Investigators said drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision.