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SACRAMENTO, Sacramento County, Calif., Oct. 23, 2026 — A two-vehicle crash blocked lanes on southbound SR-51 near the Exposition Boulevard on-ramp early on Friday morning, October 23, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least one airbag deployed and one vehicle sustained major front-end damage.
The California Highway Patrol said a car was first spotted in the on-ramp circle facing the wrong way, traveling in the southbound left lane against traffic. A caller reported a person in the lanes near the Exposition on-ramp before the crash was confirmed. Camera coverage of the area was reportedly limited at the time.
The collision left the number one lane and the on-ramp blocked, and a tow was requested to clear a disabled vehicle described as a Subaru with major front-end damage. A second tow request followed for another vehicle involved in the crash. One company was initially assigned to the call before the rotation was reassigned to another towing service, which took the vehicle from the scene.
It was not immediately clear how many people were hurt or how serious the injuries were. The circumstances that led to a vehicle entering the freeway going the wrong way remain under investigation, and no further details on the drivers involved had been released as of publication.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Local Crash Information for Sacramento, CA
This crash happened on SR-51 in Sacramento, CA. For more on crashes in Sacramento, including local crash figures, trauma care, and how to request a police report, visit our Sacramento, CA accident reports page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does alcohol play a role in wrong-way crashes?
Impairment is a factor in a large share of wrong-way crashes nationally, though whether it was involved here has not been confirmed by investigators.
Are wrong-way crashes more common on certain roads?
They tend to happen on freeway ramps and divided highways, frequently at night, where a driver can enter against the flow of traffic before realizing the mistake.
Why are wrong-way crashes so usually fatal or serious?
Vehicles traveling toward each other close distance much faster than in a same-direction crash, so the impact speed at the moment of collision is far higher than in a typical rear-end or sideswipe.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Sacramento, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a freeway or ramp, try to move to a safe area if your vehicle is drivable and turn on hazard lights. Call 911 and wait for the California Highway Patrol or local responders to arrive and document the scene. Even if you feel fine, a medical check is worth it, since injuries from a frontal impact aren't always obvious right away. Get the report number from responding officers and keep any photos or notes about what you saw for your records.
