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LA JOLLA, San Diego County, Calif., Sept. 17, 2026 — A man died after the sedan he was riding in collided with an SUV making a U-turn Monday afternoon, September 14, on Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla, according to authorities.
The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. near Prospect Place, authorities said. A 56-year-old man driving a Land Rover north on Torrey Pines Road reportedly made a U-turn mid-block and turned into the path of a Mitsubishi sedan driven by a 68-year-old woman. Her car struck the front right side of the SUV, investigators said.
The sedan's passenger, a man whose name has not been released, died before he could be taken to a hospital, according to authorities. The sedan's driver suffered two broken arms, two broken femurs, a fractured pelvis and facial fractures, police said. The SUV's driver reported pain but no other injuries were specified.
Authorities said alcohol is not believed to have been a factor. The crash remains under investigation, and no further details have been released.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
What Helps Cut Down Deadly U-Turn and Mid-Block Turn Crashes
Mid-block U-turns put two vehicles on a collision course with almost no reaction time, and that is where road design can matter as much as driver caution. Cities have found that physical medians, restricted turn lanes and marked U-turn pockets at signalized intersections cut down on these unplanned, mid-street maneuvers by removing the option altogether. Better sightlines and lighting along corridors like this one also give drivers more time to see an oncoming vehicle before it turns.
Response time is often the difference in the most serious crashes. When a passenger suffers severe internal injuries, the minutes between impact and arrival of paramedics can decide the outcome. That is part of why traffic engineers push for wide, accessible shoulders and clear medians on busy roads: they let emergency vehicles reach a crash scene without getting boxed in by stopped traffic.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 4,061 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Behavioral factors like distraction and speed play a role in many of those deaths, but so does the layout of the roads themselves, particularly on corridors that mix through traffic with turns, driveways and pedestrian crossings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal crash investigations typically take?
Fatal crash investigations often take weeks to months. Police must reconstruct the crash, review evidence and, in some cases, wait on toxicology or mechanical reports before issuing final findings.
What role does impairment play in fatal crashes?
Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in a significant share of fatal crashes nationwide, though investigators confirm impairment through toxicology testing, and each case is evaluated individually.
What makes a crash more likely to be fatal?
Speed, the angle of impact, and whether occupants are wearing seatbelts all affect survivability. Crashes involving a turning vehicle struck broadside, or a passenger without airbag protection facing them, can be especially severe even at moderate speeds.
What to Do After a U-Turn Crash in La Jolla, CA
If you're involved in a crash like this, move to safety if you're able and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor at first, some, like internal injuries or fractures, aren't obvious until hours later, so a medical evaluation is worth getting regardless of how you feel.
Make sure to get the names and contact information of anyone involved, along with any witnesses nearby. Once police arrive, request a copy of the report number for your records. La Jolla's roads see steady traffic through the day, so if you witness a crash, stay back from moving vehicles and give responders room to work.
