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LOS ALTOS HILLS, Santa Clara County, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 — Two drivers died on Tuesday evening, October 27, in a five-vehicle crash on Interstate 280 near the Foothill Expressway exit. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner has since identified both men who were killed.
The medical examiner's office identified the dead as Brenno Henrique De Sousa Bittancourt, 19, of Belmont, and Benjamin Alexander Hernandez, 33, of San Jose. The crash happened around 5 p.m.
Investigators said a Lexus traveling north on I-280 left the roadway and struck the center concrete median, then overturned into the southbound lanes. The Lexus driver was reportedly thrown from the vehicle and came to rest on the southbound freeway. The overturning Lexus collided with a southbound Kia SUV, and a tire that separated from the Lexus struck a Toyota sedan, killing that car's driver, according to the report. A Tesla SUV and a second Toyota SUV traveling ahead of the Kia were reportedly damaged by flying debris, but their occupants' conditions were not released.
The crash shut down the southbound lanes of I-280 for more than four hours, with traffic detoured onto Magdalena Avenue. The cause of the initial Lexus crash remains under investigation.
An online fundraiser organized by De Sousa Bittancourt's family says he had been living in the United States with his brother and that the family is raising money to cover cremation costs and to return his ashes and belongings to his mother in Brazil. That fundraiser has reportedly collected more than $10,000 so far.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who died.
More Crash News from Santa Clara County
This fatal crash happened on Interstate 280 in Los Altos Hills, CA. For other recent crashes near Los Altos Hills, CA, visit our Santa Clara County accident news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal crash investigations typically take?
Agencies often need several weeks to months to finish reconstructing a fatal crash, since they must review physical evidence, data from vehicles, and witness accounts before issuing final findings.
Does impairment usually play a role in fatal crashes?
Impairment from alcohol or drugs is a factor in a meaningful share of fatal crashes nationwide, though investigators generally wait for toxicology results before confirming it in any specific case.
What makes a crash more likely to turn deadly?
High speed, a vehicle leaving its lane or rolling over, and ejection of an occupant are all factors that raise the chances a crash will be fatal, especially on freeways where traffic moves fast in both directions.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crash in Los Altos Hills, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a freeway like I-280, try to move to a safe area if your vehicle is drivable, and turn on hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Call 911 even if injuries aren't obvious right away, since some injuries from a sudden collision take hours to show symptoms. Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible, and keep records of any treatment. Get the names of responding agencies and, if possible, note any other vehicles involved, since chain-reaction crashes usually involve several drivers whose accounts may differ. Reporting the crash promptly to your insurer and keeping copies of any official reports can help later if questions arise about what happened.
