San Jose Man Receives Jail Time for Fraudulent Attempt to Collect Insurance Payout from Road Rage Incident
SAN JOSE, CA — A San Jose man will spend sixty days in county jail for attempting to collect an insurance payout for vehicle damaged he claimed was the result of a hit-and-run collision, but was actually the result of his own road rage and reckless driving.
According to a press release by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, 53-year-old Ken Pham Tran‘s sentence comes as a result of his convictions last month of felony insurance fraud, felony vandalism, and reckless driving.
The incident in question occurred on January 10, 2025. On that day, Tran had reportedly been driving along Highway 101 near Alum Rock Avenue and, believing he had been cut off by a semi-truck, caught up to the truck at the Story Road underpass and hit his brakes twice. The driver of the truck tried to go around Tran, but Tran manuevered his vehicle to keep the truck behind him and hit the brakes a third time, causing the truck to collide with the rear of Tran’s jeep.
All of this was captured on the truck’s dascham, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
After the collision, Tran reportedly called 9-1-1 and reported the truck’s driver for hit-and-run. He later also lied to the police officers who responded to the collision, telling them he’d been stopped for traffic when he was rear-ended. He then ultimately submitted an insurance claim, neglecting to mention he had been driving recklessly.
Unbeknownst to Tran, a witness had also called 9-1-1 and reported Tran’s reckless driving out of fear he would cause an accident, the District Attorney’s Office said.
“Road rage doesn’t pay,” California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is quoted in the press release.
He continued, “Crimes like these jeopardize public safety and increase insurance cost for consumers and businesses. I applaud the work of our detectives and investigators which is essential in protecting California drivers and holding offenders accountable.”
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Progressive Insurance will receive $1,200 in restitution and Bill Jacobsen Trucking will receive $3,001.
