SAN JOSE – One person is dead and crews are cleaning up spilled diesel fuel after a crash involving a car and a big rig on Highway 101 in South San Jose Friday morning.
According to the California Highway Patrol, officers were first called to the highway near Blossom Hill Road shortly after 11:15 a.m.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a Honda sedan entered Southbound 101 the wrong way at Blossom Hill Road. As the Honda headed north, the driver of a southbound large vehicle swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid the car, but was unable to avoid a crash.
According to police, the Honda swerved and came to a stop in the center divider, while the large vehicle came to a stop in the two left lanes.
After the impact, the driver of the Honda was thrown from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Santa Clara County medical responders around 11:31 a.m
According to the CHP, the Honda driver is a 22-year-old man from San Jose. His identity is being withheld pending notification of the family by the Santa Clara County coroner.
Meanwhile, the driver of the large platform was not injured.
The big rig suffered extensive damage to the truck section, causing diesel fuel to leak. As of Friday afternoon, the two left lanes remained closed while authorities investigated and while crews cleaned up the leaked fuel.
It is not known whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is urged to contact the CHP San Jose regional office at 408-961-0900.
