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SAN JOSE, Santa Clara County, Calif., Sept. 19, 2026 — A red sedan and a pickup truck collided on Friday morning, September 18, on northbound State Route 87 near the Almaden Expressway onramp in San Jose. The crash prompted a lane closure and drew a state Freeway Service Patrol response.
California Highway Patrol dispatch logs show the two vehicles, described as a red Toyota Prius and a white Ford F-150, collided just north of the Almaden Expressway onramp shortly before 10:15 a.m. The call was initially logged as a collision with unknown injuries and was later updated to reflect that at least one person needed medical attention.
The Prius reportedly sustained front-end damage, according to dispatch notes. A tow truck was called to the scene to remove the vehicle. The extent of any injuries has not been released, and it is not confirmed how many people were involved beyond the two drivers.
Authorities closed the Freeway Service Patrol incident by late morning after the roadway was cleared. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no further details have been released.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Where Onramp Collisions Tend to Cluster on Freeways Like SR-87
Merge points where an onramp feeds into a freeway lane are a common site for these crashes because vehicles enter at different speeds within a short stretch of pavement. Drivers already on the freeway usually hold their lane and speed, while merging traffic must accelerate, judge gaps, and blend in within a few hundred feet. Any hesitation or misjudged gap can turn into a rear-end hit or a sideswipe.
Segments just past an onramp, like the stretch of SR-87 north of Almaden Expressway, see added weaving as drivers who just merged try to move left while others are still entering. Traffic volume, lane width, and sightlines around curves or overpasses all play a role in how much room drivers have to react.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. Onramp and merge-area crashes are usually lower speed than open-highway collisions, but the volume of vehicles funneling through a single point keeps these locations busy for local crash responders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Move to a safe spot if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with the other driver and take photos of the vehicles and the scene before traffic clears it away.
Where do most car accidents happen?
Intersections, onramps, and other merge points account for a large share of crashes because they concentrate vehicles moving at different speeds and directions into a small area.
How can drivers lower their crash risk on freeways?
Matching speed with freeway traffic before merging, checking mirrors and blind spots, and leaving extra following distance near onramps all help reduce the chance of a collision.
What injuries are common in two-vehicle crashes like this one?
Whiplash, bruising from seatbelts or airbags, and soft-tissue injuries are typical in lower-speed collisions. Front-end impacts can also cause head or chest injuries depending on the force involved.
What to Do After a Car Accident in San Jose, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a freeway or onramp in San Jose, try to move your vehicle out of traffic lanes if it's safe to do so and turn on hazard lights. Call 911 to report injuries and request assistance, even if the damage looks minor at first. Getting checked by a medical provider afterward is worth doing, since some injuries from an impact don't show symptoms right away. Keep a copy of any CHP incident number or report for your records, and reach out to your insurance company to start the claims process once everyone involved is safe.
