March 18, 2004

San Jose Area CHP requests assistance in fatal collision investigation

On Monday 3/15/04, at approximately 7:40 a.m., a female in her early 20's was driving a Red Volkswagen GTI in the #1 or #2 lane of I-280 northbound south of SR-85. Witnesses have stated that the vehicle was traveling at a speed greater than the flow of traffic (45 mph to 50 mph). For yet unknown reasons, the vehicle swerved to the right and across all lanes of traffic as it spun 180 degrees. The vehicle slid across the right shoulder and off of the embankment before the driver's door collided with a light standard situated to the right of the shoulder. After striking the light standard, the vehicle continued to the right and collided with a sound wall before coming to rest at the bottom of the embankment.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. She was the only occupant of this vehicle and physical evidence indicates that she was wearing her seat belt at the time of the collision. The driver's identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin (Santa Clara County Coroner Case # 04-00983).

The CHP is asking that anyone who may have information regarding this collision contact investigating Officer S. Bien at the San Jose Area CHP office at (408) 467-5400 xt.333