MONTEREY, Monterey County, Calif., Nov. 7, 2026 — Four vehicles collided on eastbound State Route 68 near Quail Ridge Lane on Thursday evening, November 5, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least one injury was reported.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened on eastbound SR-68 between Los Laureles Grade and Corral de Tierra, involving a white Ford Fusion, a silver Audi, a silver Lexus sedan and a silver Chevrolet Tahoe. Dispatch logs show the incident was reported as a three-vehicle collision before a fourth vehicle was confirmed as involved.
The crash was first classified as a collision with unknown injuries, then briefly listed as no injuries, before CHP updated it to a collision with minor injuries. An officer at the scene asked for an update on the extent of injuries, though the degree of harm has not been detailed publicly. The Tahoe reportedly sustained front-end damage and the Lexus sustained front and rear damage; one vehicle was also reported with major rear damage.
Vehicles blocked the eastbound lane after the crash and were described as a traffic hazard before being pushed out of the roadway. Multiple tow companies were requested to the scene, and a tow truck driver reportedly became stuck in the resulting traffic. California Highway Patrol continues to look into how the chain-reaction crash occurred.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Intersection Crashes in Monterey and Across California
This multi-vehicle crash happened at State Route 68 and Quail Ridge Lane in Monterey, CA. We follow crashes at intersections across California, and our California intersection crash page brings that information together in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does fog or low visibility make multi-vehicle pileups more likely?
When drivers cannot see far ahead, they usually have less time to react to slowing or stopped traffic, which can cause one crash to trigger several more in quick succession.
Why does following distance matter so much in highway traffic?
Leaving more space between vehicles gives a driver more time to brake safely if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly, reducing the chance of a rear-end collision that can set off a chain reaction.
Do secondary crashes usually happen after an initial wreck?
Yes. Once a crash blocks a lane or slows traffic, following vehicles can strike the stopped cars or each other, especially if drivers do not spot the hazard in time.
Why are multi-vehicle crashes harder to investigate than single-car wrecks?
Investigators have to determine the order in which vehicles struck each other and how much each impact contributed to the damage and injuries, which usually takes longer with more vehicles involved.
