San Jose, CA – On the afternoon of Saturday, May 2, 2026, a multi-vehicle collision resulted in the death of Kimberly Karnes, 33, and left several others hospitalized near Westfield Oakridge mall, according to KRON.
The San Jose Police Department reports that the accident took place just before 4:00 PM at the intersection of Santa Teresa Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road.
Authorities said a green 2016 Kia driven by Karnes was traveling southbound on Santa Teresa Boulevard and pulling into the dedicated left-turn lanes for eastbound Blossom Hill Road when it was struck by a silver 2020 Mercedes also heading southbound.
The Kia and Mercedes then struck a white 2024 Tesla that was stopped in one of the left-turn lanes. The Tesla was pushed into a green 2004 BMW stopped ahead of it in the same lane, and the Kia also struck a white 2014 Toyota stopped in the adjacent turn lane.
Following the collisions, the Mercedes caught fire with the driver and a juvenile passenger inside. Officers were able to extricate both occupants from the burning vehicle. Karnes was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
All other occupants across the involved vehicles, with the exception of the BMW driver, were transported to local hospitals with varying injuries. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner formally identified Karnes following her death.
The driver of the Mercedes cooperated with officers, and investigators determined that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s comparative negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility.
Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
Personal Injury Claims
After a traffic accident, victims and their families often deal with unexpected financial burdens, such as medical bills, lost income, and, in the worst cases, burial costs. A personal injury claim allows accident victims to hold the at-fault party financially responsible for their costs of care.
California Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
