HALF MOON BAY, San Mateo County, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 — Three vehicles collided Monday afternoon, September 21, on southbound State Route 1 near Virginia Avenue in Half Moon Bay. The California Highway Patrol reported minor injuries.
A caller reported the crash shortly after noon, describing a black Toyota sedan and a yellow pickup truck involved in the collision, according to dispatch records. A passerby told dispatchers the vehicles were blocking traffic. The CHP said a third vehicle, a Toyota SUV, was also involved.
The agency initially logged the crash as one with unknown injuries before updating it to a minor-injury collision. Dispatch notes described major front-end damage to the pickup, though the extent of any injuries has not been detailed publicly.
Tow crews were called to clear the scene. Records show a rotation tow company was requested for the pickup and a separate tow service was called for the Toyota SUV. Southbound Route 1 traffic near Virginia Avenue was affected while crews worked to clear the vehicles.
The California Highway Patrol has not released further details on how the crash occurred. The investigation is ongoing.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
What Makes a Multi-Vehicle Crash on a Highway So Dangerous
A three-vehicle crash on a highway is rarely just about the initial impact. Once vehicles come to a stop in or near travel lanes, they become obstacles for anyone driving at highway speed who has only seconds to react. That secondary risk, a following vehicle striking stopped cars or the people standing near them, is greater than the original collision.
Closing speed is more important than most drivers realize. A car traveling 65 mph that meets a stopped vehicle covers nearly 100 feet per second, leaving little time to brake or steer around a blocked lane. This is why crashes on high-speed roads frequently multiply: the first collision creates a hazard, and following traffic becomes the next one.
Tow operators, CHP officers, and stranded motorists face this risk directly while working roadside. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 365 large-truck occupants were killed in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. The same dynamic, one incident triggering another, applies broadly whenever vehicles or people are exposed on an active roadway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a chain-reaction crash?
Keep scanning well ahead of the vehicle directly in front of you, watch for brake lights and hazard flashers in the distance, and slow down early if traffic patterns look irregular.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Move as far onto the shoulder as possible, turn on hazard lights, and stay inside the vehicle with a seatbelt on unless it's unsafe to remain there. Walking near traffic lanes increases risk substantially.
Why does following distance matter so much on highways?
Extra space gives a driver more time to react if traffic ahead stops suddenly. At highway speeds, even a one-second gap can be the difference between stopping safely and rear-ending another vehicle.
Does fog or low visibility make pileups more likely?
Yes. Reduced visibility shortens the distance drivers have to notice and react to stopped or slowed traffic, which is why speed limits should be lowered voluntarily in fog even where none is posted.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Half Moon Bay, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe location if possible and check on others before checking your vehicle. Call 911 to report injuries and request medical evaluation even if you feel fine. Some injuries, especially from sudden stops or being thrown forward, don't show symptoms right away.
Exchange information with other drivers and note any details you can safely observe, such as vehicle positions or weather conditions. File a report with the California Highway Patrol if one isn't already being generated at the scene. Keep copies of any medical records or repair estimates in case you need them later.
