Teen killed after car flew off S.F. freeway ramp had just graduated, planned to play college soccer

A 17-year-old killed when a car went over a San Francisco freeway railing and fell into a police impound lot has been identified as Lenin Homer Silva, a recent Hillsdale High School graduate and soccer player.

Silva died May 30 after the Chevrolet Camaro he was riding in collided with a Recology tractor-trailer on eastbound Interstate 80 near the Seventh Street off-ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol. Three other teens in the car were injured.

Silva had graduated from Hillsdale in San Mateo two days before the crash and planned to play soccer at Skyline College in San Bruno, his parents, Sue Homer and Paula Silva, told KGO-TV.

"The beginning and end of his world was sports," his parents told the station. "He graduated and he was going to college and it was his dream to play soccer in college."

The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. after the Camaro's 18-year-old driver made what the CHP described as an "unsafe turning movement" into the truck.

Both vehicles hit crash-absorbing sand barrels, and the Camaro went over a railing, falling about 25 feet into a San Francisco Police Department impound lot below, the CHP said.

The car hit several parked vehicles before coming to rest upside down on top of another vehicle, authorities said.

The driver was able to get out of the Camaro on his own. San Francisco firefighters extricated three passengers, including two who were trapped in the back seat and had to be freed with hydraulic rescue tools.

Silva, who was in the back seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. An 18-year-old backseat passenger was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The driver and a 17-year-old front-seat passenger were hospitalized with moderate injuries.

KGO reported Saturday that the other backseat passenger remained in critical condition.

The three surviving occupants were wearing seat belts, but Silva was not, according to the CHP.

The Recology truck driver did not appear to have major injuries and was not taken to a hospital.

Investigators have said drugs and alcohol did not appear to be factors. The CHP was continuing to investigate the vehicles' speeds. No charges had been announced.

Silva had gone out in San Francisco with classmates the night after graduation, his parents told KGO. His mother said she texted him shortly before the crash to ask whether he was coming home.

"I saw the car moving right at 1 o'clock in the morning, getting on the freeway, so I was like OK, he's fine," she told the station.

Silva's death has been mourned by his school and youth soccer communities.

The San Mateo Union High School District said in a statement shared with People that Silva was a member of Hillsdale's Class of 2026.

"There are no words that can fully capture the grief and shock of losing a member of our Hillsdale High School family," the district said.

The San Francisco Seals said Silva had played with its MLS Next U19 team. The San Francisco Glens described him in a social media post as a former Glens player and "standout goalkeeper" for the Seals U19 MLS Next team.

"His demeanor and kindness forged many friendships with players at the Glens and in the city, with a passion for the game and life that was infectious," the Glens wrote.

The San Francisco Aztecs, another former club, said Silva started with the team as a goalkeeper and was remembered for his commitment and respect for teammates, coaches and opponents.

"Sometimes you're the hero and sometimes you're the villain, but Lenin always showed up with effort, commitment, and a willingness to learn," the Aztecs wrote.

School of the Epiphany in San Francisco also identified Silva as a 2022 alumnus and mourned his death.

A GoFundMe campaign titled "Honoring Lenin: Youth Sports Fund" says Silva's family hopes to create a fund to help young people access athletic training and competitive sports.

The campaign was organized by Andrea Marta of San Francisco, who described Silva as "a son, brother, best friend, and dedicated athlete."

Silva's parents told KGO that he was kind, adventurous and beloved by friends, teachers, coaches and others in his life.

"The adults in his life, his teachers, his bosses at the bakery, the counselors at school, his coaches all just really adored Lenin," his parents told the station. "He was a sweet kid with a big heart. Somebody just described him as a gentle giant."

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 2:20 AM.