One person was killed yesterday after a single-vehicle crash on the State Route 85 southbound off-ramp near the SR-82 connector in Santa Clara County. The car, described by investigators as a red Mazda Miata convertible, left the roadway and came to rest well off the ramp while firefighters and officers shut down the exit to work the scene. The off-ramp stayed closed for several hours and reopened in the early morning. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person who died.
According to Red, White & Blue Press, which drew from the California Highway Patrol’s fatal-incident log, the crash was reported at about 10:34 PM on March 8. The outlet reports the vehicle came to rest roughly 25 to 35 feet off the roadway and that a tow truck was requested to clear the wreckage.
Scene and response
Fire crews and law enforcement kept the SR-85 off-ramp closed while emergency personnel worked the crash scene and coordinated the removal of the car. The vehicle was cleared and the exit reopened at about 1:27 AM, according to the CHP incident listing on CHP Fatal. Caltrans was notified and worked with authorities during the closure, the incident posting shows.
Why this stretch matters
The SR-85 and SR-82 connector is a heavily used Peninsula link that shuttles local traffic between San Jose and nearby cities, so any shutdown in this area tends to ripple through late-night drivers and early commuters. State transportation agencies have been putting money into technology and safety projects along SR-85 in recent years. Caltrans has earmarked funding to replace Transportation Management System components and make other safety upgrades on SR-85 and neighboring routes.
Investigation and next steps
The crash remains open for coroner proceedings, and California Highway Patrol investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident, according to Red, White & Blue Press. Members of the public who may have witnessed the crash or who have dash-cam footage are asked to contact the CHP Redwood City area office, and the CHP explains how to obtain official crash reports…