A 16-year-old boy died in a solo car crash in Santa Clara Saturday night, the boy’s family confirmed to NBC Bay Area.

The crash happened on northbound Lawrence Expressway at Benton Street, Santa Clara Police said on X at about 11:40 p.m. Saturday.

Robert Maes, Jr. said his 16-year-old grandson, Isaiah Mendoza, died after his car crashed into a pole at the intersection.

“Isaiah was my world, Isaiah was my sidekick,” Maes, Jr. said.

Mendoza had just turned 16 and recently got his drivers license, according to his grandfather. “New driver. Lost control. Makes no sense,” said Maes, Jr.

The road was closed for several hours while officers investigated, and reopened around 4:45 a.m. Sunday.

Mendoza was a junior at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, where he played varsity baseball and socc

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