Northbound lanes near Curtner Avenue were closed for hours as investigators documented the scene and cleared burned vehicles.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — An adult and a child were killed and two others were hurt late Tuesday morning when four vehicles collided and several caught fire on northbound Highway 87 just past the Curtner Avenue exit, according to authorities.
The crash halted traffic across all northbound lanes and drew a large fire and police response during the late-morning commute. Investigators said the collision involved two Teslas, a Lexus and a Toyota Sienna. Flames engulfed three vehicles after impact, and smoke could be seen for miles. The California Highway Patrol said the case remains under active investigation as they work to determine the sequence that led to the deadly fire and the factors involved. The immediate focus Tuesday was on documenting the scene, notifying next of kin and reconstructing the moments before the cars collided.
Firefighters and CHP officers were dispatched just before 11 a.m. Crews arriving north of Curtner Avenue found multiple vehicles ablaze in the middle lanes. Battalion Chief Bennett Yendery said firefighters confronted heavy fire conditions on arrival, with teams knocking down the flames while medics treated the injured. “Upon arrival, crews did find multiple vehicles involved with fire,” Yendery said, describing thick smoke that initially obscured the scene. CHP officers said all three drivers whose cars burned were able to escape, but two passengers riding in a Lexus — an adult and a child — died at the scene. A Tesla driver and the Lexus driver were transported to hospitals; their conditions were not immediately available.
Authorities said the fourth vehicle, a Toyota Sienna minivan, did not burn. Its driver remained at the scene, spoke with officers and was released later Tuesday. CHP officials said early indications did not point to alcohol or drugs, though investigators cautioned that final determinations would come after a full review of evidence. Officer Ross Lee said investigators will examine the burned vehicles and roadway markings to determine how the crash unfolded and how the fire started. By 3:43 p.m., all northbound lanes had reopened after hours-long closures and detours to Curtner Avenue, but traffic remained slow into the afternoon.
The stretch of Highway 87 where the collision occurred runs through South San Jose and feeds into downtown. The area has seen major congestion during past incidents, and Tuesday’s closure created backups to Capitol Expressway. Witness video showed cars engulfed in flames and heavy black smoke curling above the freeway divider. The Lexus containing the victims was found against the concrete median; the Teslas came to rest perpendicular to traffic, according to on-scene observations shared by authorities. Fire officials said lithium batteries in the Teslas did not create unusual challenges beyond standard vehicle fire tactics.
CHP investigators spent the afternoon mapping the scene, interviewing drivers and witnesses and checking for additional dashcam footage. They also began routine post-crash steps, including toxicology tests where required, mechanical inspections and a request for public assistance from anyone who saw the moments before impact. As of Tuesday evening, investigators had not released the names of the two people who died pending notification of relatives. Autopsies and formal identification will be handled by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. No arrests had been announced, and no charges had been filed as of publication.
Residents in nearby neighborhoods described the sound of the crash as a sharp boom followed by sirens. Drivers who were diverted off the freeway waited in long lines on Curtner Avenue while crews worked. “The chain of events — it’s hard to say what happened when,” Yendery said. “A lot of smoke obscured the situation initially, but when I did gain visual, all three vehicles were involved in fire.” Lee said investigators would “take extra time” with the burned vehicles to ensure a thorough reconstruction. Commuters who passed the aftermath Tuesday afternoon described charred frames centered in the middle lanes and crews laying down absorbent material across scorched asphalt.
As of late Tuesday, the investigation continued with scene measurements, evidence collection and coordination with insurance representatives and vehicle manufacturers as needed. Officials said their next updates would likely come after next-of-kin notifications and initial forensic reviews. The CHP asked anyone with information or video from the area of Highway 87 near Curtner Avenue just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday to contact its San Jose Area office. Authorities plan to release the names, ages and cities of residence of the victims once the coroner completes identifications.
Author note: Last updated December 3, 2025.