San Jose, CA – Deadly Wrong-Way Crash on Hwy 17 Near Camden Ave

San Jose, CA (August 25, 2025) – An early-morning crash involving a wrong-way driver turned fatal along Highway 17 near Camden Avenue in San Jose, leading to an extensive emergency response and a complete shutdown of all southbound lanes.

The deadly collision occurred just after 12:38 a.m. on August 23, when a wrong-way vehicle veered into traffic and forced another car off the roadway. Moments later, at least three vehicles, including a black Honda, a red Toyota Corolla, and a white Toyota Camry, were involved in a serious crash along the right-hand shoulder and across multiple lanes.

Emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 calls within minutes. One caller’s open line revealed only the sound of heavy breathing, with no verbal response, indicating the severity of injuries on site. By 12:59 a.m., the California Highway Patrol confirmed the crash had turned deadly, with at least one person killed. Additional units were requested to manage the scene, turn vehicles around, and coordinate emergency access.

First responders, including fire department crews and medical teams, arrived quickly. One of the vehicles involved had sustained major damage and was positioned sideways in the roadway. Southbound lanes were entirely blocked, with a changeable message sign activated to warn approaching drivers. Traffic was also paused in the northbound direction to accommodate medical and law enforcement activity.

The deceased victim’s identity has not been released. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause and sequence of events that led to this deadly collision.

Our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Car Accidents in California

California continues to face a high rate of deadly car crashes, with nearly 4,000 traffic fatalities recorded across the state last year. These numbers underline the urgent need for vigilance on the road, especially when driving late at night or in high-speed areas such as freeways and highways.

To help people better understand the ripple effects of fatal accidents, here are some key factors:

• Wrong-Way Driving: One of the most dangerous scenarios on highways, wrong-way driving often leads to high-speed head-on crashes. These accidents typically occur in low-light conditions or involve impaired drivers, making them especially deadly.
• Lane Obstruction: Crashes that result in blocked lanes increase the risk of further incidents. Drivers may not have enough time to react when lanes are obstructed, leading to multi-vehicle pileups or secondary collisions.
• Multi-Vehicle Involvement: When more than two cars collide, the level of destruction escalates. Different points of impact increase the chance of serious injuries or fatalities, especially if vehicles are struck from the side or rear.
• Delayed Medical Access: In situations where all lanes are blocked, getting ambulances and emergency vehicles to the injured can be difficult. This delay can make the difference between life and death.
• Late-Night Driving Risks: Reduced visibility, driver fatigue, and lower traffic volume at night can all contribute to dangerous roadway behavior, especially in high-speed areas.

Families who lose someone in a crash should speak with a compassionate wrongful death attorney.

At Ziff & Cohn, we know how overwhelming the aftermath of a fatal accident can be. For decades, Harvey Ziff and Adrienne Cohn have provided strong representation for grieving families throughout the Bay Area.

We take a hands-on approach to every wrongful death case, working to hold all responsible parties accountable. Our firm handles each case as though it may go to trial, ensuring it is built with the utmost attention and care. Based in Palo Alto, our team works closely with families from San Francisco to San Jose.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a crash, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Call Ziff & Cohn today at (650) 329 – 0851.

Notes: Our writers created this accident news post based on information gathered from various external sources, including local and national news outlets, police reports, and occasionally eyewitness accounts of accidents. If you find any inaccuracies in this post, please contact Ziff & Cohn so we can correct the information as soon as possible. We will remove this post upon request.

Disclaimer: This post is not a solicitation for business and should not be considered legal advice. It does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes depend on the specific details of each case. For tailored legal advice, we encourage you to contact Ziff & Cohn directly. Please note that the featured image in this post is for illustrative purposes only and is not associated with the actual accident.