Danny Chiu, 69, Died After Being Hit by Tractor-Trailer Truck While Riding Bicycle on Osgood Road in Fremont
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA (January 9, 2026) – A bicyclist identified as Danny Chiu has tragically died in a Fremont semi-truck accident on the 4400 block of Osgood Road.
Alameda County officials are saying that the accident took place on Friday. A truck driver was heading northbound on Osgood Road when they began to turn left into a business parking lot.
That driver struck Danny Chiu, who was riding a bicycle southbound. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim.
Sadly, Danny Chiu was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
This marked the first traffic fatality of 2026 in Fremont. A full investigation into the deadly bicycle accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Fremont Truck Accidents
Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of drivers. All drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any cyclist on the roadway. Truck drivers must be particularly cautious. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left on a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. They must continue to yield until the turning move can be made with reasonable safety. There are several factors that may contribute to any truck accident.
- Turning Radius: Trucks have a wide turning radius. It is therefore imperative that their drivers scan the road ahead of them before making any turning movements.
- Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles and cyclists. Truck drivers are supposed to check these blind spots before making turns, but this often does not happen.
- Fatigue: Truck drivers are often pushed to deliver their cargo as quickly and efficiently as possible. This has led to many scenarios where truck drivers have become dangerously fatigued.
- Speed: Excessive speed remains one of the most common causes of truck accidents. When truck drivers are traveling at an unsafe speed, it can take much longer for them to stop in the event of an emergency.
If a truck driver made a dangerous left turn into the path of a cyclist or vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Unless a driver had a green arrow at an intersection, they will be liable in nearly all situations where they turn into the path of another person or vehicle. Liability for a truck collision could extend to several different parties. This includes the company that owned or operated the truck. Generally speaking, employers can be liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who were performing tasks within their job duties.
Steps to Take After California Truck Accidents
Cyclists have a naturally small profile and lack the protection of enclosed vehicles. They are substantially more likely to be seriously injured or killed in the event of a crash, particularly with a larger vehicle. According to National Public Radio, “Vehicles with higher front ends and blunt profiles are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians than smaller cars and trucks, according to new research published Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any truck accident.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records related to the accident should be collected. These records can actually help establish how an accident took place.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person who may have witnessed a truck accident should be interviewed as soon as possible while their memories are still fresh.
- Accident Report: The accident report related to the collision should be carefully reviewed. These reports can help establish liability for any collision.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a truck accident should have an independent review of the accident by a team with experience in tort claims. This team can help determine who may be liable for the collision.
Truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions or are distracted. Unfortunately, truck companies will virtually never accept responsibility if one of their drivers is involved in a crash. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly investigated by an outside party. Victims of truck accidents and their families are protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Fremont Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Danny Chiu. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Many questions still need to be answered. What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck? Was the driver potentially distracted? Is there a history of collisions at this intersection?
Do you need more information about a Fremont truck accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and protecting those rights through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
