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LOS BANOS, Santa Clara County, Calif., Nov. 11, 2026 — A driver suffered minor injuries on Monday morning, November 9, after a car crashed into a semi truck and caught fire on eastbound State Route 152 near Dinosaur Point, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported just after 7:20 a.m. on eastbound Rte 152, just west of Dinosaur Point. A car reportedly struck a semi truck pulling a trailer, and the car ended up on its side, blocking both lanes, according to callers at the scene. One vehicle involved was described as a Lexus ES350, and all occupants of the vehicles got out on their own.
The Lexus caught fire shortly after the crash, with bystanders reporting smoke and flames and, later, the engine compartment fully ablaze. Airbags reportedly deployed, and a male driver was seen getting out of the burning vehicle, according to a nearby witness. Santa Clara County fire crews and an ambulance were sent to the scene, and the CHP later confirmed the car fire had been extinguished.
The collision was initially logged as an injury crash with a medical response requested, and authorities said it involved minor injuries. One report described the blue semi's driver falling asleep before the collision, though that account has not been confirmed by investigators. A tow truck was called to remove the vehicles, and both lanes of Rte 152 were shut down for a time before reopening later that morning with slow traffic reported in the area.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
More on Crashes in Los Banos, CA
This crash happened on State Route 152 in Los Banos, CA. We cover crashes across Santa Clara County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our recent crash reports from Santa Clara County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes crashes like this one?
Rear-end and lane-departure collisions commonly stem from driver fatigue, following too closely, or momentary inattention, especially on rural highways where speeds are higher.
Why can falling asleep at the wheel be so dangerous?
A driver who dozes off even briefly loses the ability to brake or steer away from danger, which can turn a routine drive into a severe crash in seconds.
How can distracted or drowsy driving increase crash severity?
A driver who isn't fully alert reacts slower to traffic ahead, which commonly increases the force of impact and the chance of a vehicle leaving its lane or rolling over.
