Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run on I-280 in San Jose, CHP says

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A pedestrian was killed late Thursday on southbound Interstate 280 in San Jose after entering the freeway lanes, and the driver who struck him fled the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run incidents are a major public safety concern, as they leave victims without aid and make it difficult to hold drivers accountable. This tragedy on a busy San Jose freeway highlights the need for improved road safety and driver responsibility.

The details

Officers were called around 10:20 p.m. to reports of a person walking against traffic on the 10th Street off-ramp. When they arrived, they found the man unresponsive in the far-right lane of southbound I-280, with injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 10:44 p.m. The crash shut down southbound I-280 for about two hours as investigators treated the case as a hit-and-run.

• The incident occurred late Thursday, March 12, 2026.
• Officers were called around 10:20 p.m.
• The pedestrian was pronounced dead at 10:44 p.m.
• The southbound lanes of I-280 were shut down for about two hours.

What’s next

Investigators are asking witnesses to contact the CHP San Jose office with any information about the hit-and-run driver.