Local
Two killed when Lexus vaults I-280 median, causing five-car wreck in Los Altos
A Lexus crossed the center median near Foothill Expressway Thursday evening and crashed into southbound traffic, killing two drivers. The collision closed all southbound lanes for more than four hours.
Two drivers were killed in a five-car crash on Interstate 280 in Los Altos Thursday evening after a Lexus crossed the freeway median and struck vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, the California Highway Patrol said.
The Lexus was traveling northbound near Foothill Expressway when it went up a dirt embankment, hit the concrete median and overturned onto the southbound lanes, according to CHP. As it flipped, it struck a Kia SUV in the second southbound lane.
The Lexus driver was ejected and died at the scene. The Kia driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, CHP said.
Two other vehicles ahead of the Kia — a Tesla SUV and a Toyota SUV — were damaged by debris, but their drivers were not hurt, CHP spokesperson Sophie Lu said. The Lexus’ right front tire came off and hit a Toyota sedan, whose driver also died at the scene.
All five vehicles were driven by adults traveling alone, Lu said. The two people who died had not been publicly identified as of Friday afternoon, according to the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner.
The crash shut down the entire southbound side of I-280 for more than four hours. CHP directed drivers to detour via Magdalena Avenue.
Investigators had not determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role, and the collision remained under investigation. CHP asked anyone with information to call 650-779-2700.