Palo Alto, CA – On the late night of Saturday, September 27, 2025, a single-vehicle crash killed a man in his forties, according to Bay City News.
The Palo Alto Police Department reports that the accident took place just before midnight on Alma Street at the University Avenue overcrossing.
Police said a northbound pickup truck veered off the road and collided with the elevated median. Emergency personnel transported the driver to a local hospital, but he died from injuries sustained in the collision.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner has not yet released the man’s identity, pending notification of next of kin.
Alma Street remained closed for approximately three hours while police investigated the crash scene. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances that led to the vehicle leaving the roadway.
Palo Alto police asked anyone with information about the collision to contact the department’s dispatch center to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
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.
For more info on Wrongful Death, see our page here.
