Fremont conducts detailed analysis of the circumstances surrounding each major traffic crash. The increase in major crashes in 2021 and 2022, and in particular the increase in fatal crashes, seems attributable to new societal issues that have not been the target of Fremont’s Vision Zero efforts to date. The increase in 2022 reflects a number of crashes involving reckless speeding in which individuals are traveling 25 mph to 40 mph over the posted speed limit, as well as crashes involving homeless individuals walking in the street at night. Major crashes involving reckless speeding increased from two in 2020 to five in 2021 and in 2022. There continue to be major crashes involving homeless individuals walking in the street in 2022; though the number of crashes decreased from three in 2021 to one in 2022. The elderly (55 and over) were involved in over one-third of fatal and severe injury crashes for 2022, including five out of the eight fatalities. Lastly, many of the crashes involving pedestrians are often the result of motorist not yielding to pedestrians.

These emerging crash factors require a new and holistic approach, including partnerships between the City’s Public Works, Police, and Human Services Departments, and with regional and state agencies. The City already has significant efforts underway to service the displaced individuals, including the opening and operating of a new Housing Navigation Center, development of an RV parking program, operating seasonal warming and cooling centers, and hosts of other social services. In Winter 2021, the City’s Human Services, Public Works, and Police Departments partnered to distribute traffic safety kits to homeless individuals with reflective clothing and lights to help improve their visibility when walking at night. Reckless speeding has been a nationally emergent issue since the COVID-19 pandemic began, as lower traffic volumes along previously busy roadway corridors encourage faster traffic speeds. To counter this trend, the City installed over 77 radar speed feedback signs along various major corridors, implemented narrower vehicle lanes, and is currently adjusting traffic signal timing to encourage slower travel speeds. The City will continue to diligently work to improve safety on its streets, including both proven engineering measures and a comprehensive approach to create a culture of safety.

Fremont has undertaken significant infrastructure efforts to improve roadway safety in the past five years as part of its Vision Zero traffic safety program, including engineering measures to address previously identified need for general speed management, better nighttime visibility, and better facilities for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2022, major safety improvement projects included completing a protected intersection at Washington Blvd./Osgood Road intersection, as well as pedestrian flashing beacons at Walnut Avenue/Godfrey Street intersection, Paseo Padre Parkway/Onondaga Way intersection, and along Mission Boulevard near Ohlone College.

2022 Major Crash Narratives:

Fatal Collisions:

1. On 1/7 at 11:59 am, a 35-year-old male motorist speeding on northbound Christy Street (2-lane, 35 mph, minor street) at Stewart Avenue was killed after crashing into a parked big rig.  The driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
2. On 1/12 at 2:28 pm, a 100-year-old male motorist driving on northbound Paseo Padre Pkwy (6 lane, 30 mph, major street) at Walnut Avenue was killed after crashing into three cars stopped at the red light. 
3. On 5/20 at 3:43 pm, a 7-year-old male bicyclist traveling eastbound through the intersection of Jamestown Road and Montrose Avenue was killed after being hit by vehicle driven by a 36-year-old female motorist traveling northbound on Montrose Avenue. 
4. On 5/21 at 12:15 am, a pedestrian crossing Mission Boulevard (State Route) at Sullivan Underpass was killed after being struck by a vehicle. (COLLISION REPORT PENDING)
5. On 6/18 at 9:08 am, a 74-year-old male motorist driving a vehicle northbound on Paseo Padre Parkway near Surry Place was killed after swerving into another vehicle, losing control of the vehicle, and colliding with a tree in the median. 
6. On 6/29 at 5:25 pm, a 71-year-old male pedestrian walking his bicycle in the bike lane on Driscoll Road (4-lane, 40 mph, major street) was killed after a 71-year-old male motorist drifted the vehicle towards the curb and struck the pedestrian. 
7. On 9/26 at 4:15 am (dark), a passenger was killed after the motorist entered Boyce Road from westbound Stewart Avenue and was struck by a tractor trailer traveling northbound on Boyce Road. (COLLISION REPORT PENDING)
8. On 12/2 at 7:42 am, a 41-year-old female pedestrian crossing Blacow Road at Calaveras Avenue was killed when struck by a vehicle driven by a 43-year-old female motorist after running a red light while traveling northbound on Blacow Road. (COLLISION REPORT PENDING)

Severe Injury Collisions:

1. On 2/16 at 5:29 pm, a 31-year-old intoxicated female motorist driving northbound on Fremont Boulevard (6-lane, 35 mph, major street) at Walnut Avenue was severely injured after crashing into a vehicle driven by a 46-year-old male motorist making a westbound left turn. The intoxicated driver ran the red light.
2. On 2/18 at 10:39 pm (dark), a 36-year-old male pedestrian walking westbound across Fremont Boulevard (5-lane, 35 mph, major street) at Nicolet Avenue was severely injured when hit by a vehicle driven by a 71-year-old male making an eastbound left turn onto Fremont Boulevard. Pedestrian was walking during the legal walk phase (traffic signal already programmed to run LPI). 
3. On 3/11 at 5:45 am (dusk), a 26-year-old motorcyclist riding westbound at a high rate of speed on Warren Avenue (4-lane, 35 mph, major street) at Mission Falls Court was severely injured after crashing into a vehicle driven by a 41-year-old female motorist making an eastbound left turn into a driveway. 
4. On 3/22 at 12:03 am (dark), an 18-year-old male motorist driving on westbound Central Avenue (4-lane, 35 mph, major street) near Dusterberry Way was severely injured after crashing into parked vehicles. Officer believed that driver made an unsafe lane change prior to the collision.
5. On 3/22 at 3:19 pm, an 85-year-old female pedestrian crossing Fremont Boulevard (4-lane, 30 mph, major street) at Chapel Way was severely injured when struck by a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old male making a westbound left turn after failing to yield to the pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk. 
6. On 5/28 at 10:54 am, a 22-year-old male motorcyclist riding southbound at a high rate of speed on Fremont Boulevard (4-lane, 40 mph, major street) at Doane Street lost control and collided into a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old female motorist traveling northbound on Fremont Boulevard. 
7. On 6/3 at 3:45 pm, a 25-year-old female motorist driving southbound on Paseo Padre Parkway (4-lane, 45 mph, major street) at Cornish Drive was severely injured after crashing into a vehicle driven by an 84-year-old male making a left turn to northbound Paseo Padre Parkway. 
8. On 6/11 at 5:17 pm, a 32-year-old female motorist driving eastbound on Mowry Avenue (6-lane, 40 mph, major street) at Hastings Street was severely injured after running a red light and crashing into a vehicle driven by a 31-year-old male motorist making a left turn to southbound Hastings Street.
9. On 7/19 at 2:18 pm, a 57-year-old male motorcyclist riding northbound on Boyce Road (4-lane, 45 mph, major street) was severely injured after colliding into a tractor trailer driven by a 49-year-old male making a left turn to eastbound Stewart Avenue. 
10. On 7/22 at 5:38 pm, a by 57-year-old male motorist driving on an eastbound Paseo Padre Parkway (4-lane, 40 mph, major street) at Capulet Road was severely injured after making a left turn and struck by a vehicle driven by a 25-year-old male motorist traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Paseo Padre Parkway. 
11. On 7/22 at 6:46 pm, a 14-year-old male bicyclist riding across Mowry Avenue (4-lane, 35 mph, major street) at Guardino Drive was severely injured after being hit by a vehicle making a left turn and driven by a 16-year-old male motorist. The sun was in the driver’s eyes and did not see the crossing cyclist.
12. On 7/23 at 1:25 am (dark), 35-year-old male passenger of a motor vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on southbound Argonaut Way (2-lane, 30 mph, minor street) at the roundabout at Walnut Avenue and Parkhurst Drive was severely injured after the 32-year-old male motorist made an unsafe lane change and crashed into a streetlight pole. 
13. On 8/4 at 3:25 pm, a 55-year-old female motorist traveling eastbound on Stevenson Boulevard (6-lane, 40 mph, major street) ran a red light and crashed into two vehicles, one driven by a 70-year-old female motorist traveling southbound on Omar Street was severely injured and a second vehicle a 44-year-old female motorist traveling northbound on Omar Street. 
14. On 8/6 at 4:11 am (dark), a 56-year-old female motorist traveling northbound on Mission Boulevard (4-lane, 45 mph, State Route) near Vallejo Way was severely injured after making an illegal U-turn on Mission Boulevard and getting hit a by a vehicle traveling southbound and driven by a 23-year-old female. 
15. On 8/11 at 5:17 pm, a 28-year-old male motorcyclist traveling eastbound on Scott Creek Road (4-lane, 40 mph, major street) at Yampa Road was severely injured after crashing into a vehicle making a left turn from Yampa Road and driven by a 50-year-old female. 
16. On 9/9 at 8:37 am, a 37-year-old female pedestrian crossing Tamayo Street at Ballantine Place was severely injured after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old female motorist traveling westbound on Tamayo Street (2-lane, 25 mph, minor street). 
17. On 9/19 at 11:03 AM, a 49-year-old female motorist driving westbound on Thornton Avenue (4-lane, 35 mph, major street) west of Coronado was severely injured after losing control of the vehicle and colliding with a tree adjacent to the northern sidewalk. 
18. On 9/23 at 2:52 am (dark), an intoxicated 28-year-old male motorist driving at a high rate of speed eastbound on Auto Mall Parkway (4-lane, 45 mph, major street) near Technology Drive was severely injured after driving over the curb and crashing into a wood pillar. 
19. On 10/4 at 9:18 pm, a 17-year-old male motorist driving a vehicle southbound on Blacow Road just south of Richmond Avenue was severely injured after losing control of the vehicle and colliding with a tree in the center median. The report indicated that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and was believed to be racing an unknown vehicle. 
20. On 11/11 at 7:53PM, a 52-year-old unhoused female pedestrian crossing Warm Springs Boulevard westbound at Brown Road was severely injured after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 49-year-old male motorist traveling southbound on Warm Springs Boulevard (4-Lane, 35 mph, major street). 
21. On 11/24 at 12:47 pm, a 56-year-old male motorist driving northbound on Mission Boulevard (SR 238, 4-Lane, 45 mph, State Route) ran off the road and hit a fixed object resulting in the motorist's severe injury. 
22. On 12/27 at 12:52AM, a 44-year-old male pedestrian crossing the northbound lanes of Paseo Padre Parkway south of Capitol Avenue, heading westbound through the lanes of traffic was severely injured after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 64-year-old male motorist traveling northbound on Paseo Padre Parkway (6-Lane, 30 mph, major street) toward the intersection of Capitol Avenue.

Fremont has seen significant declines in major crashes (those resulting in loss of life or a life-altering injury) since adopting its Vision Zero policy in 2015, however in 2021 this trend has unfortunately reversed. Fremont has seen a concerning rise in major traffic crashes in 2021, though major crashes remain below the levels seen prior to adoption of Vision Zero. Through the end of September 2021, Fremont has seen 21 major traffic crashes, including 8 fatal crashes and 13 severe injury crashes, which already exceeds the average number from 2018-2020. This increase mirrors an increase in fatal traffic crashes recognized nationally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fremont has undertaken significant efforts to improve traffic safety in the past 5 years as part of its Vision Zero traffic safety program, including engineering measures to address previously identified issue such as general speed management, nighttime visibility, and better facilities for vulnerable users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Notably, the increase in major traffic crashes in 2021 reflects a new set of societal issues. In particular, the major crashes in 2021 include a striking number of crashes involving reckless speeding (25 mph to 40 mph over posted speed limits) and crashes involving homeless individuals walking in roadways. Together, reckless speeding and crashes involving homeless individuals account for 6 of 8 fatal crashes in 2021. These issues will require a holistic approach to address, including new partnerships and tools to enforce speed limits and create a culture of safety and building on existing City initiatives to provide services and stable housing to individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

Since adopting its Vision Zero program, Fremont has achieved significant recognition for reducing major traffic crashes. Regrettably, in 2021, Fremont saw an increase in major traffic crashes, though they remain below pre-Vision Zero levels. 

Fremont conducts detailed analysis of the circumstances surrounding each major traffic crash.  Notably, the increase in major crashes in 2021, and in particular the increase in fatal crashes, seems attributable to new societal issues that have not been the target of Fremont’s Vision Zero efforts to date. The City’s Vision Zero program has focused significantly on engineering measures such as ensure general speed management, improved lighting, and safer facilities for vulnerable users, and from 2015 to 2021, the number of crashes correctable by engineering measures has declined. The increase in 2021 reflects a number of crashes involving reckless speeding in which individuals are traveling 25 mph to 40 mph over the posted speed limit, in some cases due to illegal sideshow activity, and homeless individuals walking in the street at night. Major crashes involving reckless speeding have increased from 1 in 2019, to 2 in 2020, to 5 in 2021, while major crashes involving homeless individuals on walking in the street have increased from 1 in 2019, to 2 in 2020, to 3 in 2021.

These new types of crashes will require a new and holistic approach, including partnerships between the City’s Public Works, Police, and Human Services Departments and with regional and state agencies. The City already has significant efforts underway to address housing insecurity, including a Housing Navigation Center, development of an RV parking program, seasonal warming and cooling centers, and other services, and the connection between traffic safety and homelessness makes the imperative to address this issue all the more clear. In Winter 2021, the City’s Human Services, Public Works, and Police Departments partnered to distribute traffic safety kits to homeless individuals with reflective clothing and lights to help ensure they are visible when walking at night. Reckless speeding has been a nationally emergent issue since the COVID-19 pandemic began, as cities have faced fiscal realities which have impacted enforcement resources, and as “fast and furious” driving culture has become pervasive. The City will continue to diligently work to improve safety on its streets, including both proven engineering measures, and a comprehensive approach to create a culture of safety.

2021 Major Crash Narratives

Fatal Collisions:

1. On 2/4 at 7:04 am (dawn), a 46-year old male motorcyclist speeding at approximately 87 mph on Mission Boulevard (State Route 238, 45 mph speed limit) at Mayhews Road was killed after crashing into a box truck.
2. On 3/9 at 6:04 am (dawn), a 81-year old male pedestrian crossing Second Street near J Street was killed in a hit and run crash.
3. On 4/9 at 2:34 am (dark), a 30-year old male passenger of a motor vehicle driven by an intoxicated 41-year old male died when the driver ran a red light speeding at approximately 74 mph at the northbound I-880/Thornton off ramp. Both surviving drivers sustained severe injuries.
4. On 4/10 at 5:36 pm, a 50-year old male motorcyclist speeding at an estimated 80 mph on Mission Boulevard (State Route 238, 40 mph speed limit) was killed after crashing into a vehicle at Dalgo Road.   
5. On 4/19 at 8:30 pm (dark), an intoxicated 49-year old male homeless pedestrian laying in the roadway on Lowry Road was killed after being run over by a vehicle.
6. On 6/26 at 9:30 pm (dark), an intoxicated 43-year old male homeless pedestrian walking in the roadway on Decoto Road near Mount Palomar Court was killed when hit by a vehicle.
7. On 6/30 at 10:28 pm (dark), a 69-year old male homeless pedestrian walking in the roadway was killed at Peralta Boulevard and Dusterberry Way in a hit and run crash.  
8. On 7/4 at 9:27 pm (dark), a 15-year old male bicyclist doing wheelies with no helmet veered in front of a vehicle on Hansen Avenue at Dutra Way and was killed when hit by a vehicle driven by a 23-year old male traveling at excessive speeds with no headlights in an illegal fireworks display in the street.   
9. On 12/6 at 7:32 pm (dark), a 51 year-old male motorcyclist on Boyce Road near Stewart Avenue was killed when hit by a box truck (collision report pending).

Severe Injury Collisions:

1. On 1/22 at 10:27 pm (dark), a 22-year old male passenger of a motor vehicle on Bidwell Drive at Fremont Boulevard was severely injured when the intoxicated 31-year old male driver made a high speed turn and crashed into a tree. 
2. On 2/8 at 12:18 pm, a 24-year old male passenger of a motor vehicle on Bonner Avenue near Athy Street was severely injured after sitting on the exterior of the vehicle and falling off.
3. On 2/26 at 8:58 pm (dark), a 27-year old male motorist driving on Fremont Blvd. at Chapel Way was severely injured when he ran a red light while making a turn and hit a vehicle proceeding straight. The injured driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
4. On 3/6 at 11:14 pm (dark), a 17-year old male passenger of a motor vehicle driven by a 23-year old male who was doing donuts on Fremont Boulevard (45 mph speed limit), was severely injured by a 19-year old male driver traveling at approximately 80 mph in an illegal street racing/sideshow activity crash.
5. On 3/10 at 12:46 am (dark), a 47-year old male bicyclist crossing Fremont Boulevard at Central Avenue was severely injured in a red light running hit and run crash.
6. On 3/17 at 6:49 pm, a 20-year old male motorist speeding at approximately 60 mph on Blacow Road (35 mph speed limit) near Mattos Court was severely injured after swerving, losing control, spinning 180 degrees, and crashing into multiple trees. The car engulfed into flames shortly after witnesses pulled the motorist from the vehicle.
7. On 6/5 at 9:09 am, a 71-year old male bicyclist riding in a bike lane on Paseo Padre Parkway near Kearney Street was severely injured when hit by a turning vehicle driven by a 47-year old male.  
8. On 6/30 at 5:07 pm, a 41-year old male pedestrian walking on the sidewalk along Fremont Boulevard near Dixon Landing Road was severely injured when a 37-year old female motorist fell asleep and veered off the roadway.
9. On 7/20 at 7:51 am a 68-year old male motorist driving on Sundale Drive was severely injured by a vehicle driven by a 46-year old female that ran a red light on Fremont Boulevard.  
10. On 8/11 at 3:58 pm, a 17-year old male bicyclist riding on East Warren Avenue east of Fernald Street was severely injured when trying to merge over due to the end of a bike lane and being struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a 51-year old male.
11. On 9/3 at 5:44 pm, a 35-year old male bicyclist riding on westbound Stevenson Boulevard near Farwell Drive was severely injured when crashing into a vehicle driven by a 31-year old male traveling westbound which abruptly stopped to turn into a gas station.
12. On 9/11 at 6:29 pm, an intoxicated 29-year old male motorist crashed into two parked cars on Niles Boulevard at Rock Avenue and was severely injured.
13. On 9/22 at 5:26 am (dark), a 77-year old male pedestrian at Logan Drive near Sloat Road was severely injured when hit by a 46-year old male motorist.
14. On 11/7 at 1:00 pm, a 42-year old male motorcyclist riding on Grimmer Boulevard near Auto Mall Parkway was severely injured when hit by a vehicle (collision report pending).
15. On 12/8 at 10:26 am, a 35-year old male motorcyclist riding on Paseo Padre Parkway at Surry Place was severely injured when hit by a vehicle (collision report pending).