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SAN JOSE, Santa Clara County, Calif., Sept. 20, 2026 — Two people were hurt on Friday evening, September 18, when two vehicles collided on northbound US-101 near East Capitol Expressway in San Jose. The crash blocked lanes and prompted a request for an ambulance at the scene.
Authorities said the collision was reported shortly before 8 p.m. on northbound US-101 just south of East Capitol Expressway. A Honda pickup and a red sedan were reportedly involved, based on early radio traffic, though the vehicles were later described as a Honda Ridgeline and a Toyota SUV with heavy front-end damage. Both vehicles reportedly ended up on the right shoulder after the impact.
Debris, including broken glass, was reported across multiple lanes of the freeway, according to the log. Medical personnel were called to the scene for at least one person with injuries, and firefighters also responded. Detectives described the injuries as minor, though the extent of harm to each person involved has not been detailed publicly.
The California Highway Patrol coordinated with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office during the response, according to dispatch communications. No further details on the cause of the crash have been released, and the collision remains under review by investigators.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
When Freeway Crashes Like This Tend to Happen After Dark
Evening crashes on busy commute corridors like US-101 usually cluster in the hours just after sunset, when daylight fades, but traffic volume remains heavy. Drivers accustomed to daytime visibility can be slower to adjust to headlights, glare, and reduced depth perception, which makes it harder to judge closing speeds in adjacent lanes.
Fatigue also plays a role at this time of day. Many drivers are heading home after a full workday, and reaction times can lag even without alcohol or drug involvement. Traffic mix changes too, with more commercial vehicles, ride-share pickups, and a mix of speeds as some lanes slow for merges near interchanges like East Capitol Expressway.
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. Nighttime freeway sections, where visibility is limited and speeds stay high, remain a setting where small misjudgments can turn into multi-vehicle incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with the other driver and take photos of the vehicles, road, and any debris before traffic clears the scene.
How do weather and road conditions affect crash risk?
Wet pavement, glare, and debris on the roadway can reduce traction and visibility. Even dry-weather crashes, like ones involving scattered glass or fluid, can create hazards for other drivers until crews clear the lanes.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes cluster at interchanges, on-ramps, and lane merges, where vehicles change speed or position. Busy corridors during commute hours see a higher concentration of collisions than free-flowing stretches of highway.
What to Do After a Car Accident in San Jose, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a freeway in San Jose, try to move to the shoulder if your vehicle is drivable and turn on hazard lights. Check on other people involved before assessing vehicle damage, and call 911 if anyone appears hurt, even if injuries seem minor at first.
Seek a medical evaluation soon after the crash, since some injuries like whiplash or internal bruising don't show symptoms right away. Keep a copy of the CHP incident report and any medical records in case you need them later for insurance purposes.
