The identity of a man found dead in a charred pickup truck on East Street in southwest Morgan Hill Sunday night was released Wednesday by the Santa Clara County coroner's office.
The man found in the incinerated vehicle after 7:30 p.m. is Thomas Jackson, 39, of San Martin. He was found after firefighters responded to a call of a vehicle on fire on Easy Street at the entrance to Atherton Way.
The coroner's office, however, did not release the cause of his death because it is still an open case, according to an office representative.
Morgan Hill police detectives are waiting for a report from an arson investigator to release more information about the death, according to Cmdr. Joe Sampson.
Jackson's body was found shortly after 7:30 p.m., but it was not clear if he was dead before flames engulfed the truck or was killed by the fire.
Firefighters responded to a call by a neighbor, Greg Rose, whose home is on the west side of Easy Street. He and his wife, Deb, said they heard the engine of the truck revving loudly and heard the noise of the engine making popping noises as it burned. When he went outside, Greg said, he used a garden hose to spray down nearby grass and bushes so they wouldn't catch on fire. He didn't realize at the time there was anyone in the vehicle, he said, but the truck was fully engulfed in flames.
Family members stopped by the Times office Wednesday to purchase copies of the Tuesday edition with the original story and expressed sadness and shock at the tragedy.
Marilyn Dubil Marilyn Dubil covered education and law enforcement for The Times.
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