A pre-dawn crash on Capitol Expressway in East San Jose turned deadly yesterday when a car slammed into construction barriers and erupted in flames, killing the driver despite a large emergency response from police and firefighters. The solo-vehicle collision happened near Cunningham Avenue, and investigators said the man behind the wheel could not be revived at the scene.
Police Say Car Hit Median Barriers at High Speed
According to a press release from the San José Police Department, the crash happened at approximately 1:55 AM. A 2010 Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on Capitol Expressway at a high rate of speed when it collided with construction safety barriers in the center median and caught fire. Firefighters put out the flames and crews pulled the driver from the vehicle, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Victim’s Identity Pending, City’s 2026 Toll Grows
The Santa Clara County coroner will release the man’s identity once he is positively identified, The Mercury News reported. Police are counting the wreck as San José’s 11th fatal collision and 11th traffic death of 2026, a grim early tally for the year.
Capitol Expressway Construction Provides Dangerous Backdrop
Portions of Capitol Expressway have been under shifting lanes and work-zone rules linked to the VTA’s Eastridge-to-BART light-rail extension. Temporary medians and barriers have changed how drivers move through the corridor in East San Jose, and nighttime traffic patterns in particular have been in flux, as earlier local reporting on new traffic restrictions in East San Jose noted.
How to Help
Anyone who saw the crash or has information about it is asked to contact Detective DelliCarpini #4103 at [email protected] or 408-277-4654, according to the San José Police Department. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3TIPS mobile app or Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.
