A devastating multi-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 87 in San Jose claimed the lives of Ivana Balistreri, 29, and her 1-year-old daughter Lilliana on December 2, 2025, around 10:49 a.m. just north of Curtner Avenue.
The collision involved two Tesla sedans, a Lexus sedan, and a Toyota Sienna minivan, with three vehicles erupting into intense flames that engulfed the wreckage. Ivana and Lilliana, passengers in the Lexus driven by Ivana’s fiancé, were pronounced dead at the scene amid the chaos.
The California Highway Patrol reports the sequence began when one Tesla veered across lanes, striking the second Tesla head-on before both slammed into the Lexus, pinning it against the median barrier. The Lexus burst into flames immediately, trapping the victims inside as firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour. The Toyota Sienna, trailing behind, rear-ended the pileup but sustained minor damage without igniting.
Ivana, a San Jose native and recent graduate of San Jose State University with a degree in early childhood education, worked as a preschool teacher at a local Montessori center. Known for her nurturing spirit, she had recently become engaged to her fiancé of three years, planning a spring wedding filled with family traditions. Their home in the Willow Glen neighborhood was a cozy haven of children’s books and handmade crafts.
Lilliana, affectionately called Lilly Bean, was the light of her parents’ lives, with her first birthday approaching on December 16. The toddler had just begun taking her first steps and saying simple words, milestones Ivana eagerly shared with relatives. As an only child, she brought endless joy through family outings to the nearby Japanese Friendship Garden.
The surviving fiancé suffered moderate injuries and was hospitalized overnight for observation, while the driver of one Tesla was treated for non-life-threatening wounds. The Toyota Sienna driver escaped unharmed and cooperated fully with investigators. Northbound lanes remained closed for eight hours, diverting traffic onto Curtner Avenue and causing widespread delays.
The San Jose community reels from this tragedy, with CHP urging witnesses to contact their office at 408-961-0900 as the probe continues into possible factors like speed or vehicle malfunctions. Ivana and Lilliana’s family finds solace in cherished memories, vowing to celebrate the toddler’s upcoming milestone in her honor.