California man guilty of insurance fraud after brake checking semi truck until rear-end crash, DA says

A San Jose man was recently convicted for insurance fraud and more after causing a collision with a semi truck and then lying to police about the crash, officials said.

Last week, Ken Pham Tran, 53, was convicted on charges of felony insurance fraud, felony vandalism, and reckless driving, according to the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO).

Charges were filed in connection with a January 28, 2025, incident that occurred on Highway 101 near the Alum Rock Ave. in Santa Clara, California.

Officials say that Tran was driving a white Jeep Wrangler Rubicon when he became “furious” because he thought that he’d been cut off by a semi truck.

“…Tran caught up to the semi-truck at the Story Road underpass and “brake checked” two times, slamming on his brakes just in front of the truck. The semi-truck driver tried to change lanes to avoid the Jeep, but Tran maneuvered his vehicle to stay in front of the truck and “brake checked” the truck a third time. This time, the truck driver was unable to stop and rear-ended the Jeep,” SCDAO said.

The incident was captured by the truck’s dash cam.

A witness called 911 after the crash to report reckless driving.

Tran also called police and reported the truck driver for a hit-and-run.

The DA said that Tran lied when he told police that he was in stopped traffic when he was rear-ended by the semi truck, and then he “minimized and omitted his unsafe driving” when he made a claim with Progressive Insurance Co.

“Beyond endangering people’s lives, including his own, this defendant pretended his own reckless driving was simply an accident,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “Trying to defraud an insurance company is bad enough. Trying to profit from your own road rage is outrageous and we will seek an appropriate punishment.”

Bill Jacobsen Trucking is seeking $6,000 in restitution. Progressive Insurance is seeking restitution of $1,200.

Tran’s sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2026.

“He faces jail time,” SCDAO said.