Ivana Balistreri and Daughter Lilliana Killed in Fiery 4-Vehicle Crash on San Jose’s Highway 87, Family Shares Heartbreaking Loss

A devastating four-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 87 in San Jose has left a family mourning the loss of 29-year-old Ivana Balistreri and her 1-year-old daughter, Lilliana “Lilly Bean” Balistreri. The collision occurred late Tuesday morning and involved two Teslas, a Lexus, and a Toyota, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At the family’s San Jose home, loved ones created a memorial with photos, flowers, and the mother and daughter’s shoes placed side by side—symbols of two lives lost far too soon.

“Ivana was a light. She lit up every room she walked into. She held space for people,” her sister Francesca Alexander said.

Fiery Highway 87 Crash Leaves Two Dead and Several Injured

Authorities say the crash erupted into flames shortly after 11 a.m. north of Curtner Avenue, creating a massive backup as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The fire was fueled in part by the Teslas’ lithium batteries, though crews were able to manage it without complications, San Jose Fire Department Battalion Chief Bennett Yendery reported.

Ivana Balistreri and Daughter Lilliana Killed in Fiery 4-Vehicle Crash on San Jose’s Highway 87, Family Shares Heartbreaking Loss

Ivana and Lilliana were inside a Lexus carrying three occupants. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver—Ivana’s fiancé—survived and was hospitalized with injuries. Another motorist involved in the pileup was also taken to the hospital.

The Toyota driver remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and later left with rear-end damage, according to CHP Officer Ross Lee. Investigators say drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors, but the cause of the wreck remains under investigation.

A Young Mother, a Growing Family, and a Future Cut Short

Ivana came from a large Sicilian family and was the youngest of four siblings. Loved ones say she had recently gotten engaged in October, and everything in her life seemed to be falling into place.

“She was my baby,” her father Aurelio Balistreri said. “She don’t drive. I take her to work.”

According to the family, Ivana’s fiancé was driving her to work when the crash happened, just past the Curtner exit.

Relatives described Ivana as creative, kindhearted, and full of life—someone who loved movies, the 70s, and surrounding others with joy.

Her 1-year-old daughter Lilliana, affectionately nicknamed “Lilly Bean,” was the first girl born into the family in 18 years. Her godmother and cousin, Ilenia Balistreri, said, “We called it the boy curse in our family, but Ivana broke that curse.”

Ivana’s cousin Alexia Balistreri, who was just two months younger than her, said they were raised more like sisters.
“We want something bright to celebrate her life,” she said. “Instead of wearing black, we’re going to wear bright colors—flowers or anything Ivana would want to be remembered with.”

Lilliana would have celebrated her second birthday on December 16.

Family Seeking Answers—and Community Support

Relatives say they may never find closure, but hope someone with information will come forward.

“Just something to hold onto as to why something so senseless happened—and to prevent it from happening again,” Alexander said.

The family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and support during this unimaginable loss.

CHP continues to investigate what led to the fiery four-car crash. Two other people were injured.