CORTE MADERA, Marin County, Calif., Oct. 29, 2026 — A gray SUV and a white transport van collided Tuesday afternoon, October 27, on northbound US-101 at Tamalpais Drive in Corte Madera, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash left at least one lane blocked for roughly an hour.
The CHP said the vehicles came to rest on the right shoulder after the collision. Fire crews responded to the scene, and a lane remained blocked for a period while personnel worked the wreck, per dispatch logs. The agency initially logged the crash as an injury collision of unknown severity before updating it to a minor-injury crash.
A tow truck was called to remove at least one vehicle from the roadway, the CHP reported. All lanes had reopened by late afternoon, and a California Highway Patrol Freeway Service Patrol unit that assisted at the scene later closed out its portion of the response.
No further details on the number of people hurt or the exact cause of the crash have been released. The incident remains on record with the CHP as a minor-injury collision.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Intersection Safety in California
The crash was reported at US-101 and Tamalpais Drive in Corte Madera. Readers following crash news in Marin County can find more about intersections across the state on our guide to California intersections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in car accidents like this one?
Rear-end and lane-change collisions often cause whiplash, neck and back strain, and bruising from seatbelts or airbags. Some injuries, especially soft-tissue strains, may not be obvious until a day or two later.
What usually causes crashes on highways like US-101?
Common factors include following too closely, sudden braking in heavy traffic, lane changes, and distracted driving. Investigators have not released a cause for this crash.
Why is distracted driving considered so risky?
Taking eyes off the road for even a few seconds at highway speed means covering a long distance blind. That gap in attention is often enough to miss slowing or stopped traffic ahead.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Corte Madera, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a busy highway, try to move to the shoulder if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Turn on hazard lights and stay inside the vehicle if traffic is still moving nearby. Call 911 to report the collision and request medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms take time to appear. Exchange information with the other driver, note the location and time, and take photos of the vehicles and scene if you're able. Keep a copy of any report filed by responding officers for your records.
