East Palo Alto, CA – On the morning of Thursday, August 20, 2026, a suspected fatigue-related hit-and-run resulted in the death of Irma Elizabeth Oxlaj Vargas, 38, of Redwood City, and led to the arrest of Julian Adame Jr., 18, of Kingsburg, according to KRON.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 6:00 AM on southbound Highway 101 near the University Avenue on-ramp.
Authorities said Vargas was riding her motorcycle southbound when Adame, who had just finished an overnight shift at Amazon, dozed off at the wheel and crashed his Acura TL into the back of her bike. As a result of the impact, Vargas was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and emergency medical services responded to the scene.
Adame fled the scene, later telling investigators he was fearful of going to jail. Officers located a license plate at the crash site that had come off his car, which was traced to the Acura and later found abandoned in Sunnyvale. Investigators used cell phone location data to determine Adame had fled to Cutler in Tulare County, where CHP Central Division Investigative Services Unit members located and arrested him approximately six hours after the crash.
A SigAlert was issued closing lanes four and five of southbound Highway 101 at University Avenue, with the on-ramp also temporarily blocked. An evidence tow was requested for the motorcycle, identified as a Royal Enfield, as well as for the Acura. The two right lanes and the on-ramp reopened by 9:10 AM.
Prosecutors said Adame acknowledged his actions and told investigators his mother had warned him to pull over if he felt tired. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in death, and made his first court appearance Monday, where he was released on his own recognizance under conditions including abstaining from alcohol and drugs, refraining from driving unless licensed and insured, and wearing a tracking device. The case was continued to August 31 for his plea.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
East Palo Alto Hit-and-Run Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law requires drivers involved in any collision to stop, render aid, and remain at the scene to cooperate with law enforcement. A driver who flees the scene of a fatal crash may face criminal prosecution in addition to civil liability, and may be considered to have committed negligence per se, increasing his share of liability in the collision.
Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, Vargas’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide the family with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
East Palo Alto Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, on Highway 101 near the University Avenue on-ramp, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
