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GILROY, Santa Clara County, Calif., Nov. 12, 2026 — Three vehicles collided on Wednesday evening, November 11, on southbound US-101 at Monterey Road in Gilroy, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least one person suffered injuries described as minor.
The crash was reported just north of Exit 355 on southbound 101. Dispatch logs show the call began as a report of stalled vehicles blocking the two left lanes before it was updated to a collision involving a sedan, an SUV and a third vehicle. A person at the scene asked for paramedics for a passenger in one of the cars, and the CHP later classified the crash as a minor-injury collision involving three vehicles.
Two of the right lanes were blocked immediately after the crash, and the agency briefly closed the roadway entirely before reopening it once vehicles were cleared. Tow trucks were called to the scene to remove the vehicles, including one that needed a second truck after the first hauler reported it did not have one available.
No further details on the extent of injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. The CHP has not said whether speed, impairment, or another factor contributed.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
Intersection Safety in California
The multi-vehicle crash was reported at US-101 and Monterey Road in Gilroy. Our California intersection resource page covers intersection crashes across California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much on highways like US-101?
Keeping enough space between vehicles gives drivers time to react when traffic ahead slows or stops suddenly, which cuts down the chance of rear-end and chain-reaction crashes.
Do crashes like this one tend to trigger additional collisions?
Yes. Once a vehicle is disabled or lanes are blocked, drivers approaching the scene at speed can be caught off guard, especially in low light or heavy traffic, which can lead to a second crash before responders arrive.
Why are multi-vehicle crashes usually harder to sort out than two-car wrecks?
With three or more vehicles involved, investigators have to determine the sequence of impacts, how many cars struck each other, and whether a secondary collision occurred after the first, which usually takes longer than a standard two-vehicle report.
What typically leads to pile-ups involving three or more vehicles?
Sudden braking, lane blockages from an earlier incident, and reduced visibility are common contributors, since they leave following drivers little time to stop once a slowdown starts.
