Justice · I-280 fatal crashLos Altos wrong-way crash: Median crossing kills two drivers in five-vehicle collisionAired October 24, 2026 at 10:07 AM UTCWritten October 24, 2026 at 10:14 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07A Lexus crossed a freeway median, setting off a crash that killed two drivers.0:11Five vehicles were caught in the collision on Interstate 280, and another driver0:14went to the hospital with minor injuries.0:16Investigators have reconstructed how the crash unfolded, but why did the Lexus leave0:20the northbound roadway?0:21Two drivers died at the scene near Foothill Expressway in Los Altos.0:25The collision happened shortly after 5 in the evening on Thursday, October 26, 2026.0:30The Lexus had been traveling north before it entered the southbound lanes.0:34The California Highway Patrol says the Lexus sedan went up a dirt embankment and0:38struck the center concrete median.0:40It overturned into opposing traffic, where a Kia SUV was traveling in the second0:44southbound lane.0:45The Lexus struck the Kia after overturning across the median.0:48Its driver was thrown from the car and landed on the roadway.0:51Fire personnel pronounced that driver dead at the scene.0:54The Kia driver survived.0:56A detached tire caused the second death.0:59CHP says the Lexus's right front tire came off and struck the driver of a southbound1:03Toyota sedan.1:04That driver also died at the scene.1:06Two SUVs ahead of the Kia were also hit by debris from the Lexus.1:10They were a Tesla and a Toyota.1:12Their drivers weren't injured.1:14The five vehicles were caught in different parts of the collision, with different1:17consequences.1:18The Lexus and Toyota sedan drivers died.1:21The Kia driver was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center with minor injuries.1:25The Tesla SUV and Toyota SUV drivers were uninjured.1:29All five drivers were adults and each was traveling alone.1:31By Friday afternoon, October 23, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office1:36hadn't publicly identified the two drivers who died.1:39Emergency crews worked among overturned and severely damaged vehicles, tow trucks1:44and scattered debris.1:45One car rested on its side with a crushed roof and hood.1:48Officers closed every southbound lane while responders worked, and investigators1:52examined the scene.1:53Traffic was diverted to Magdalena Avenue.1:56The closure lasted roughly four hours or more and ended Thursday night, when2:00southbound traffic resumed.2:01The reopening estimates range from about 9-11 to around 9.30 that evening.2:06The exact minute every lane opened isn't clear.2:09A traffic alert cancellation and permission to release a closure can mark different2:12stages of restoring traffic.2:14The traffic alert was canceled at 9-11.2:16A minute later, officers received authorization to release the closure.2:20Those steps help explain the timing, but they don't pinpoint when the last2:24southbound lane physically reopened.2:26Rainy.2:27Overcast weather affected the Bay Area that Thursday with slick roads and reduced2:31visibility.2:32Investigators haven't linked the weather to this collision.2:35CHP also hadn't determined whether alcohol or drugs were involved.2:39CHP was still seeking information about the collision on Friday.2:43Investigators traced the two deaths to the Lexus driver's ejection and the detached2:47tire striking the Toyota driver.2:49They hadn't determined what first sent the Lexus off its northbound path.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗