Fatal Crash Victim ID'd Involving Caltrans Shadow Truck

SAN JOSE, CA -- The victim of a deadly crash into a Caltrans truck last Monday morning on U.S. Highway 101 in San Jose has been identified as 27-year-old Thomas Wydra of Santa Clara, according to the county's medical examiner.

Around 10:30 a.m. a Caltrans "shadow truck" was trailing a sweeper vehicle at about 5 mph in the far-left lane of southbound Highway 101 near Brokaw Road according to the California Highway Patrol. Wydra was driving south in a white Dodge Ram in the far left lane at about 65 to 70 mph when the Dodge struck the Caltrans truck from behind.

CHP Officer Ross Lee said the "shadow truck" stopped when the crash occurred. The driver told the CHP the truck was fully in the far-left lane, and had an overhead directional sign cautioning drivers to move to the
right.

The Caltrans truck driver went to the hospital as a precaution but didn't suffer any injuries, according to Lee.

The CHP is investigating the crash and Lee said officers have no reason to believe drugs or alcohol played a role in it.

--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock