Available 
SAN JOSE, Santa Clara County, Calif., Oct. 16, 2026 — Three vehicles collided on Thursday morning, October 15, on southbound State Route 87 near Curtner Avenue in San Jose. An ambulance was requested at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol's traffic log identified the vehicles involved as a white Toyota RAV4, a gold Honda Pilot and a white Mercedes GLK350. The crash was reported on southbound SR-87 just north of Curtner Avenue shortly after 9 a.m.
Dispatch logs show the collision was initially called in as a traffic collision with injuries, prompting the ambulance request. At least one vehicle reportedly came to rest on the right shoulder following the crash.
The extent of any injuries has not been released. The California Highway Patrol has not said what led up to the collision, and the crash remains under investigation.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Where Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups Tend to Start
Chain-reaction crashes involving three or more vehicles tend to cluster on high-volume freeway corridors, especially stretches near interchanges, merge points, and off-ramps where speeds vary sharply from one lane to the next. A driver braking suddenly ahead of an on-ramp or exit can set off a rear-end chain that pulls in cars several lengths back before anyone has time to react.
Dense urban freeways like SR-87 through San Jose see this kind of exposure daily: commuter traffic bunches up, following distances shrink, and a single slowdown ripples backward fast. Morning and evening commute hours add to that risk simply because more vehicles are packed into the same lanes at closer intervals.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,979 passenger-car occupants were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger car and a light truck in 2023. That gap in vehicle size and weight is part of why outcomes in multi-vehicle crashes can vary so much from one car to the next, even in the same pile-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typically causes a multi-vehicle pile-up?
Most start with one vehicle braking or stopping unexpectedly, usually near congestion, a merge point, or a prior incident. Vehicles following too closely behind then run out of room to stop safely, pulling additional cars into the chain.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in one?
Leaving extra following distance in heavy traffic, scanning several car lengths ahead rather than just the car directly in front, and slowing early when brake lights appear up the line all help reduce the chance of being pulled into a chain-reaction crash.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the freeway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's not safe to exit, and move as far from traffic lanes as possible. Call 911 if it hasn't already been reported, and wait for responders rather than trying to direct traffic yourself.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Jose, CA
If you're involved in a multi-car collision in San Jose, move to a safe location if your vehicle is drivable and it's not already blocking active lanes in a way that creates more danger. Check on passengers and other drivers, and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a prompt medical check can catch issues like whiplash or internal bruising that aren't obvious right away.
Exchange information with the other drivers involved and, if possible, take photos of the vehicles and surroundings before traffic clears the scene. Request a copy of the CHP incident report once it's available, since it usually becomes important for insurance claims. Give yourself time to recover, both physically and otherwise, in the days after a crash like this.
