Teen Arrested for DUI After Fatal San Jose Collision

Deadly crash on Curtner Avenue leaves one motorist dead, two others hospitalized.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the aftermath of a fatal DUI collision.A devastating crash exposes the human toll of impaired driving in San Jose.San Jose Today

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter following a fatal collision in San Jose early Sunday morning. The crash occurred on Curtner Avenue near Highway 87 when the teen's Honda Accord struck a Chevy Malibu turning onto the eastbound lanes, killing the Malibu driver at the scene. The teen and his passenger were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of impaired driving and its devastating consequences on public safety. It also comes amid a concerning rise in traffic fatalities in San Jose, which has seen a 43% increase in road deaths so far this year compared to the same period in 2025.

The details

According to the initial police investigation, the 17-year-old boy was driving his 2022 Honda Accord westbound on Curtner Avenue when he collided with a 2003 Chevy Malibu that was turning onto the eastbound lanes from the southbound Highway 87 offramp. The Chevy driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the teen and his female passenger were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After receiving medical treatment, the teen was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

  • The fatal collision occurred around 1:05 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • This marks the 10th traffic death investigated by the San Jose Police Department so far in 2026, up from 7 at the same point in 2025.

The players

17-year-old boy

The driver of the Honda Accord who was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter following the fatal crash.

Chevy Malibu driver

The motorist who was killed in the collision on Curtner Avenue. The victim's identity has not been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone with information for investigators can contact the SJPD traffic investigations unit or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.”

— Detective Tori DelliCarpini, SJPD Traffic Investigations Unit

What’s next

The 17-year-old suspect will be arraigned in juvenile court on charges of DUI and vehicular manslaughter. Authorities are also continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the fatal collision.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly consequences of impaired driving and the urgent need for greater education, enforcement, and community-based solutions to address the ongoing public safety crisis on our roads.