Southbound I-280 Near Foothill Expressway: Lexus Crosses the Median and Overturns, and a Tire Strikes Another Driver
LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA (October 22, 2026): Two drivers were killed in a Los Altos Hills crash involving five vehicles on Interstate 280 near the Foothill Expressway exit on Thursday evening, October 22, 2026, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision was reported at about 5:10 p.m., the Mountain View Voice reported, citing CHP spokesperson Sophie Lu and a CHP news release. The Palo Alto Daily Post also reported the crash, citing the CHP.
According to the CHP, a Lexus sedan traveling north at an unknown speed went up a dirt embankment, struck the concrete median and overturned onto the southbound lanes, where it hit a southbound Kia SUV. The Lexus driver was ejected and landed on the roadway. The right front tire of the Lexus came off and struck the driver of a Toyota sedan traveling in the fourth lane, CHP said. Debris from the Kia also damaged a Tesla SUV and a Toyota SUV that were ahead of it.
The driver of the Lexus and the driver of the Toyota sedan were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP. The Kia driver was taken to Valley Medical Center with minor injuries. The drivers of the Tesla and the Toyota SUV were not hurt, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported. All southbound lanes reopened at about 9:11 p.m.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office has not released the names of the two drivers who died. CHP has said it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were a factor, and it has not said why the Lexus left the northbound lanes. These are early accounts. Fault is determined by investigators and, in civil cases, by the courts, and initial findings sometimes change. Anyone with information is asked to call CHP at (650) 779-2700.
Liability for a Los Altos Hills Freeway Crash
Under California Vehicle Code § 21651, it is generally unlawful to drive over, upon or across the dividing section of a divided highway. Vehicle Code § 22350 generally prohibits driving at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent for conditions. Civil Code § 1714 makes every person responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care, and Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 generally allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.
- A driver with no part in the cause: According to CHP, the Toyota sedan driver was traveling in the fourth southbound lane when the Lexus tire struck the car. A person in that position is generally treated as a third party when fault is evaluated.
- Crossing a divided freeway: CHP said the Lexus crossed the concrete median into opposing traffic. CHP has not said why, and its investigation is ongoing.
- Vehicle evidence: CHP said the Lexus tire detached during the crash. The vehicles and their parts are physical evidence that investigators and insurers may examine.
- Injured and damaged vehicles: The Kia driver was hurt and two other vehicles were damaged by debris. Each person whose car or body was harmed may have a separate claim, usually through insurance.
How responsibility is divided will depend on what CHP finds about the Lexus, its driver and the road conditions at the time.
Steps to Take After a Los Altos Hills Freeway Crash
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 36,640 people died in traffic crashes in the United States in 2025. Crashes that cross a median into opposing lanes often involve several vehicles and several insurance companies at once.
- Get the CHP report: Families and injured drivers can request the CHP collision report and the investigator’s name as soon as possible.
- Keep the evidence: Photos, dash camera video and damaged parts, including any tire or wheel debris, can matter. Do not let a vehicle be destroyed before an attorney reviews it.
- Get medical care and keep records: Even injuries described as minor should be checked by a doctor, and every visit and bill should be saved.
- Be careful with insurers: Several insurers may contact the families. You do not have to give a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer.
Legal deadlines and notice requirements apply after a crash, injury or death, and they vary with the facts of each case, the location and the parties involved, including any public agency. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Investigating the Los Altos Hills Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two drivers who died, and we wish the injured Kia driver a full recovery. Important questions remain: what caused the Lexus to climb the embankment and cross the median, and whether the median barrier and the condition of the Lexus tire and wheel will be part of the CHP review.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 25, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 22, 2026.
