GMC was engulfed in flames after striking a Honda pickup near Lafayette Street
September 26, 2026 | Santa Clara, CA
Stephen Hinkson, 58, of San Carlos, and Keith Demarest, 39, were killed Wednesday when a wrong-way driver collided with their vehicle on Montague Expressway in Santa Clara, authorities said.
What happened in the crash?
Stephen Hinkson, 58, of San Carlos, and Keith Demarest, 39, were killed after a GMC traveling the wrong direction on northbound Montague Expressway struck a silver Honda pickup truck near Lafayette Street.
- Date and time: Aug. 26, just before noon
- Location: Northbound Montague Expressway at the Lafayette Street overpass, Santa Clara, CA
- Vehicles involved: GMC traveling the wrong direction and a silver Honda pickup truck
- Victims: 58-year-old Stephen Hinkson of San Carlos and 39-year-old Keith Demarest
- Outcome: Both men died from injuries, the GMC was engulfed in flames, and the Honda was heavily damaged
The crash remains under investigation by authorities.
Why do these accidents happen?
Wrong-way driving incidents, though relatively rare, are disproportionately deadly. Data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recorded 2,008 deaths in wrong-way crashes on divided highways between 2015 and 2018. The National Safety Council reported 5.1 million medically consulted injuries in motor-vehicle incidents in 2023.
| Statistic | Source | Period |
|---|
| 2,008 deaths from wrong-way driving on divided highways | AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety | 2015–2018 |
| 5.1 million medically consulted motor-vehicle injuries | National Safety Council | 2023 |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined. An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision.”
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal
Family members of those killed in motor-vehicle crashes may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident. We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal
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Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Motor Vehicle Accident, California, Montague Expressway, Lafayette Street overpass, Santa Clara