Los Gatos, CA – A deadly wrong-way collision involving multiple vehicles shut down a stretch of southbound State Route 17 near the Santa Cruz Avenue on-ramp and The Cats statues early Saturday, August 23, 2025, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reported the incident at about 12:38 AM after a wrong-way driver forced another vehicle off the roadway, triggering a multi-car crash. A red Toyota ended up disabled on the right shoulder, while a black sedan, a red sedan, and a white sedan collided and blocked lanes. Witnesses described major damage, one vehicle turned sideways, and multiple injured occupants.
Firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene, where callers had reported hearing heavy breathing and no response from one victim. Emergency crews confirmed a fatality a short time later. Authorities requested the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and the county coroner to respond.
All lanes of southbound Highway 17 near Camden Avenue were closed for several hours while investigators worked and tow crews removed the wreckage. Northbound traffic also experienced temporary shutdowns to allow emergency access.
By around 4:30 AM, officials reopened the roadway. The victim’s identity has not yet been released. The crash remains under investigation.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
