Tragic Collision Claims 2 Lives on Highway 87 in San Jose

UPDATE: A devastating multi-vehicle collision on Highway 87 in San Jose has resulted in at least two fatalities, including an adult and a child, according to CBS News San Francisco. The tragic incident unfolded yesterday morning, July 15, 2025, at approximately 10:50 a.m., just north of Curtner Avenue.

Authorities have confirmed that among the vehicles involved were two Teslas, a Lexus, and a fourth vehicle that fled the scene. The collision ignited a fire that required immediate response from emergency services. At least two other individuals sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals, though their conditions remain undisclosed.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported significant traffic disruptions, with the northbound lanes of the busy highway blocked for several hours. Commuters faced delays stretching back to Capitol Expressway, but the thoroughfare was reopened by 3:45 p.m. the same day.

Firefighters from the San Jose Fire Department were on the scene quickly, battling the flames in what Battalion Chief Bennett Yendery described as a chaotic scene with “multiple vehicles involved with fire.” Yendery highlighted the firefighters’ swift actions to contain the fire, which was extinguished within the expected timeframe, despite the challenges posed by lithium batteries in the electric vehicles.

In a statement to CBS News San Francisco, Officer Ross Lee of the CHP stressed the complexity of such accidents, stating, “We respond to crashes all the time … vehicles have many different working components.” Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire and the sequence of events leading to the crash. Lee further noted, “Obviously, when we have vehicles that are burnt up, we will have to examine those vehicles to ensure our investigators can accurately determine how this crash happened.”

This tragic event underscores the ongoing risks associated with multi-vehicle accidents on busy highways and the importance of thorough investigations in understanding the causes of such incidents. As authorities continue their inquiries, the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the aftermath of this heart-wrenching collision.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.