According to the CHP, a driver was heading north on US 101 when the vehicle left the roadway, for unknown reasons, and slammed into the right-hand side wall
San Jose, CA – One person died in a single-car accident on Highway 101 in San Jose on Sunday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The incident occurred in the northbound lanes of the highway at the Lawrence Expressway interchange at around 12:35 p.m. December 28.
According to the CHP, a driver was heading north on US 101 when the vehicle left the roadway, for unknown reasons, and slammed into the right-hand side wall.
Troopers and fire crews were called to the scene of the accident. At about two hours later, one person was confirmed deceased in relation to the accident. The identity of the deceased party was not immediately released.
Some northbound right lanes were blocked for nearly two hours as crews worked to clear the scene.
There were no additinal details on the incident. The wreck remained under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
San Jose has faced significant challenges with traffic safety, notably recording its deadliest year in recent history in 2022 with 65 fatalities, before seeing a decrease to 49 deaths in 2023. The trend for 2024 showed an increase in fatalities compared to the same period in the previous year. As of December 2025, the city has recorded at least 38 traffic deaths for the year. The city’s crash statistics highlight that pedestrian and cyclist safety is a major concern, with San Jose historically having a high percentage of auto-pedestrian fatal collisions, and a significant portion of unhoused traffic fatalities involving pedestrians. The leading types of collisions are rear-end (25.79%), sideswipe (20.27%), and broadside collisions (20.06%), together accounting for over 66% of all crashes. The primary contributing factor is often driver violation, with speeding being a factor in over 22% of crashes, and nearly 25% of incidents involving a hit-and-run. Most crashes occur in clear weather conditions during daylight hours, though a substantial number happen in dark conditions with street lights. The city has implemented a “Vision Zero” initiative to analyze data and improve infrastructure in high-risk areas, known as Priority Safety Corridors, in an effort to reduce these incidents.
Seek Legal Help from Pacific Attorney Group
Did you lose your loved one after a traffic collision? You may have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Visit our wrongful death lawyer page to learn more about your legal options.