BURLINGAME, San Mateo County, Calif., Oct. 17, 2026 — A multi-vehicle crash blocked lanes on northbound I-280 near Trousdale Drive on Friday evening, October 16, and left at least one person with injuries.
The California Highway Patrol said the wreck was first reported as involving several vehicles in the northbound lanes just south of Trousdale Drive. Early radio traffic described a pickup truck, a Toyota SUV and a Honda CR-V involved in the initial collision, with a Mazda CX-5 also reported in the mix. Units on scene initially blocked three lanes of the freeway.
Fire crews requested an ambulance for an injury shortly after arriving, and the CHP later upgraded the incident from a minor injury crash to one involving major injuries, with officials reporting a third vehicle had become involved. One patient, whose age and identity have not been released, was reported conscious and breathing with a possible leg injury and was taken to Stanford Health Care by ambulance.
A passing off-duty fire battalion chief from Santa Clara County stopped to help at the scene. A California Highway Patrol alert urged drivers to use alternate routes as crews worked to clear the lanes, and at least one tow company was called to remove damaged vehicles, including a Mazda SUV with rear damage and a Toyota SUV with front and rear damage. Lanes were reported reopening in stages over the following two hours, with at least one lane still closed as of the final updates in the evening.
The CHP has not released a cause for the crash or said whether anyone was cited. The investigation remains active.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
More on Crashes in Burlingame, CA
This multi-vehicle crash happened at I-280 and Trousdale Drive in Burlingame, CA. We cover crashes across San Mateo County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our San Mateo County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typically causes a pile-up involving several vehicles on a freeway?
Multi-vehicle crashes usually start with one vehicle slowing or stopping suddenly, followed by other drivers who don't have enough time or space to react before hitting the vehicles ahead.
Why do these chain-reaction collisions happen so quickly?
Freeway speeds leave little time to brake once a crash begins ahead, so a single collision can draw in several more vehicles before traffic fully stops.
What should I do if I come up on a crash scene on the freeway?
Slow down well before you reach the blocked lanes, turn on your hazard lights, and merge early if directed. Never stop in a travel lane unless you're part of the incident.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crash in Burlingame, CA
If you're involved in a crash on the freeway, try to move to the shoulder or a safe area only if your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Turn on hazard lights and stay inside your vehicle if you're stopped in a travel lane, since getting out near moving traffic carries its own risk. Call 911 and ask for medical help even if injuries seem minor at first, since some symptoms, particularly from whiplash or internal injuries, can take hours to appear. Once you're safe, document the scene with photos if possible and get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Follow up with your own doctor in the days after the crash, even if you were cleared at the scene, and keep copies of any medical records or paperwork related to the incident.
