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SAN JOSE, Santa Clara County, Calif., Sept. 23, 2026 — Two people were hurt Tuesday morning, September 22, when three vehicles collided on northbound US-101 near Yerba Buena Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash left a black Toyota blocking the number one lane and drew a heavy traffic response, the agency reported.
The California Highway Patrol said the collision involved a black Toyota, a red Honda Civic and a white Lexus SUV, with the Civic and the Lexus reported resting on the right shoulder afterward. San Jose Fire Department personnel arriving at the scene advised that two patients needed attention and that traffic was backing up. San Jose Fire requested that CHP send units with lights and sirens to help control traffic and hold the blocked lane.
A silver Honda sedan sustained front-end damage in the crash and a tow truck was called to remove it. Lima Towing was later assigned to handle vehicle removal from the scene, according to dispatch records.
Investigators continue reviewing the collision. We hope those who were hurt recover fully.
What Determines How Bad a Highway Pile-Up Gets
The damage in a multi-vehicle crash on a freeway usually comes down to closing speed, the gap between vehicles, and how quickly drivers behind the first impact can react. When cars are spaced close together at highway speed, a sudden slowdown in front leaves little room for the vehicles behind to stop, and a chain reaction can spread across several cars in seconds.
Weight and vehicle type matter too. A collision between a sedan and a heavier SUV or pickup often sends more force into the smaller vehicle's body, since the two aren't built to absorb impact evenly. Crumple zones, airbags and structural reinforcement are designed to manage a single, direct hit, but they are less effective when a vehicle is struck from more than one direction in fast succession, which is common once a first crash blocks a lane and following traffic can't react in time.
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 multi-car crashes involving a mix of sedans and larger vehicles tend to cause more damage than crashes between similar-sized cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen?
They typically start with one vehicle slowing or stopping suddenly, often after an initial collision or hazard in the roadway. Vehicles following too closely, or unable to react in time, then strike the vehicles ahead, and the collision spreads down the line.
How can drivers avoid being caught in a pile-up?
Keeping a longer following distance, especially in heavy or fast-moving traffic, gives more time to react if traffic ahead brakes hard. Watching several cars ahead, not just the one directly in front, also helps spot trouble early.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's not on fire and it's not safe to exit into traffic, and watch for approaching vehicles. If you can safely move to the shoulder or a lane away from the wreck, do so.
How does fog or low visibility contribute to pile-ups?
Reduced visibility shortens the distance drivers have to see and react to slowing traffic, which can turn a single crash into a multi-vehicle one. Slowing down and increasing following distance in fog or heavy rain helps offset that reduced reaction time.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Jose, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe location if possible and check on passengers before doing anything else. Call 911 to report injuries and get medical and traffic units to the scene, since injuries aren't always obvious right away.
Even if you feel fine, a medical check afterward is worth doing, as adrenaline can mask pain from soft-tissue injuries or minor head trauma. Exchange information with other drivers involved, take photos of vehicle positions and damage if it's safe to do so, and get a copy of the CHP incident report once it's available for your records.
