Santa Clara Jury Clears Driver in Highway 101 Crash
Table of Contents
Case Background
A civil lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, which arose from a high-speed rear-end collision on Highway 101. The case centered on an early morning crash that occurred on August 10, 2023, when Plaintiffs Ayron Romo, Elva Romo, and Ana Mendez occupied a vehicle traveling in the carpool lane near Hellyer Avenue in San Jose. The vehicle, driven by Ayron Romo, suddenly sustained a forceful impact from behind. The Plaintiffs immediately filed suit, claiming the Defendant driver caused them severe and lasting injuries.
Cause
The Plaintiffs had just proceeded straight in the carpool lane when the Defendant’s vehicle, which allegedly traveled at approximately 60 MPH, failed to slow down and slammed into the rear of the Plaintiffs' car. The Plaintiffs named the driver, Bruce Tran, and the vehicle owner, Tonya Lien, along with Brian Tran, as Defendants in the resulting complaint.
Injury
Following the severe collision, the Plaintiffs sought a judgment to recover for the serious and long-lasting personal injuries and suffering they sustained. The complaint highlighted that all three occupants Ayron Romo, Elva Romo (front passenger), and Ana Mendez (rear passenger) suffered injuries from the sudden, high-speed impact.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiffs had brought the action demanding monetary damages to compensate them for the injuries, losses, and emotional distress caused by the Defendant’s alleged negligence. They sought a judgment from the Court that would cover medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other related financial burdens resulting from the crash.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The lawsuit, officially filed on August 11, 2023, initiated a trial that ultimately focused on who bore the responsibility for the highway collision. The Defendants, represented by counsel, consistently denied any wrongdoing or legal fault that would justify the Plaintiffs' claims for damages.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Ayron Romo | Elva Romo | Ana Mendez
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Zoi Amara Jones
Defendant(s): Tonya Lien | Bruce Tran | Brian Tran
Counsel for Defendant(s): Vanessa Himelblau | Dianne Dawn Peebles | Lawrence Eugene Hart | August Chun Wissmath
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The core of the Plaintiffs' legal case rested on two main arguments.
The first was Negligence, where the Plaintiffs argued that driver Bruce Tran operated his vehicle without the reasonable care expected of a driver. They asserted that Tran’s failure to maintain a safe following distance or slow down caused the violent rear-end collision, which directly led to the Plaintiffs' severe injuries.
The second argument focused on Owner Liability for Permissive Use. The Plaintiffs included Tonya Lien in the suit, arguing that Lien, as the registered owner of the vehicle driven by Bruce Tran, was also legally responsible for the crash. Under California law, a vehicle owner who gives a driver permission to use their car is often held liable for the driver's negligence, up to certain statutory limits.
Defense
The Defendants strongly rejected all allegations. Bruce Tran and the other named Defendants, Tonya Lien and Brian Tran, filed a general denial of the complaint. Their legal strategy centered on proving that Bruce Tran did not act negligently or that his actions were not the primary cause of the Plaintiffs’ injuries and damages. They disputed the claim that Tran’s driving performance violated any duty of care to the Plaintiffs, thereby challenging the very foundation of the lawsuit.
Jury Verdict
After hearing all the evidence and arguments, the jury delivered a verdict that favored the Defendants. The verdict forms, which the jury filed with the Court on September 3, 2025, revealed their key finding that driver Bruce Tran was not negligent in the incident.
The judgment, therefore, entered in the case of Ayron Romo, Elva Romo, and Ana Mendez v. Tonya Lien, Bruce Tran, and Brian Tran resulted in no finding of fault against the Defendant driver or the owner of the vehicle. This outcome closed the book on the liability phase of the trial with a full victory for the defense, leaving the Plaintiffs to absorb their own costs and damages.