San Jose, CA – On the evening of Thursday, March 12, 2026, a collision near the 10th Street Off Ramp of Southbound Interstate 280 resulted in a pedestrian losing his life, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 10:32 PM.
Initial reports to authorities indicated a pedestrian was seen walking on the right shoulder of the southbound interstate and was moving against the flow of traffic in an apparent attempt to enter the freeway.
A male, described as a Hispanic adult male, was later observed standing directly in the middle of the off-ramp lanes. The incident developed rapidly, with emergency communications soon detailing that a vehicle had struck the individual. Authorities confirmed the collision was between a vehicle and a pedestrian shortly after it occurred, leading to the fatality. The impact caused all lanes of the freeway to stop, as two vehicles were reported to be in the middle lanes, with the pedestrian positioned in front of one of them.
In response to the crash, the CHP requested additional units to implement a hard closure on the mainline of Interstate 280 and divert traffic off the Virginia exit. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) was also contacted for assistance with traffic management.
Prior to the collision, the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) had received a separate call from a private party regarding a pedestrian wearing all black and walking close to the lanes on Southbound 280 near 7th Street. However, the SJPD did not make a traffic stop in the area.
Following the fatal crash, the Coroner was contacted to respond to the scene. The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the collision.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as when they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is subject to partial liability in a pedestrian accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
