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MILPITAS, Santa Clara County, Calif., Sept. 16, 2026 — A big rig driver was reportedly injured early Wednesday morning, September 16, in a hit-and-run crash on northbound I-680 in Milpitas. The California Highway Patrol said the collision involved a semi-truck and a flatbed truck hauling wooden pallets.
According to authorities, the crash was reported before 5 a.m. near northbound I-680 just north of Montague Expressway, close to the Landess Avenue offramp. Radio traffic identified one vehicle as a white Safeway tractor-trailer and the other as a flatbed truck carrying pallets. It was not immediately clear whether the flatbed truck had stopped at the scene.
The CHP initially logged the call as a traffic collision with unknown injuries, then upgraded it to a felony hit-and-run with injuries under California Vehicle Code 20001, according to dispatch records. An ambulance was requested for the injured driver, who was reportedly transported for medical treatment.
Investigators said the driver of the flatbed truck left the scene before officers arrived. A tow truck was later called to clear the big rig, and officers noted a vehicle passing the scene unsafely while units worked the crash.
The search for the flatbed truck’s driver remains active. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Hit-and-Run Truck Crashes Are Most Likely to Happen
Early morning hours before sunrise carry more weight in truck crash statistics than most drivers realize. Commercial trucking often runs overnight and pre-dawn to avoid daytime congestion, which puts more big rigs on the road exactly when visibility is lowest and most passenger drivers are still asleep.
Fatigue plays a role at these hours for both truck and car drivers. Reaction times slow, following distances shrink without drivers noticing, and a driver who clips another vehicle in the dark may be less likely to realize damage occurred, or may panic and flee. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 80 percent of hit-and-run fatalities occurred in darkness in 2023.
Traffic mix also shifts overnight. Fewer cars on the road can mean fewer witnesses, and stretches of highway that feel abandoned may embolden a driver to leave rather than stop. Weekday early mornings, like this one, often carry a steady flow of commercial freight moving before rush hour builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do trucks need so much distance to stop compared to cars?
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, and that added weight means far more distance is needed to slow down or stop, especially at highway speeds.
What makes truck crashes more dangerous than typical car crashes?
The size and weight difference between a truck and a passenger vehicle means the smaller vehicle absorbs most of the crash energy, often leading to more serious injuries than a crash between two cars.
What are truck blind spots, and why do they matter?
Large trucks have blind spots along both sides, directly behind the trailer, and close in front of the cab. Vehicles in these zones may be invisible to the truck driver, which is part of why lane changes and merges near trucks carry extra risk.
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully beneath a truck’s trailer during a collision, often because the trailer sits higher than a car’s crumple zones and bumper.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Milpitas, CA
If you’re involved in or witness a truck crash in Milpitas, move to a safe area if possible and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it’s worth getting checked by a medical professional, since some injuries from a truck collision don’t show symptoms immediately.
Get contact information for anyone involved and any witnesses, and take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and the surrounding area if you’re able to safely do so. If another driver leaves the scene, try to note details like the vehicle’s color, type, cargo, or direction of travel for the police report.
Follow up with the California Highway Patrol to confirm a report was filed, and keep records of any medical care you receive in the days after the crash.
