San Juan Bautista, CA (July 24, 2026) – Two people were injured on Wednesday, July 22, when a Kia clipped a box truck on southbound US-101 at the Anzar Road overcrossing near San Juan Bautista, according to dispatch logs. The Kia sustained major front-end and rear damage, and debris was left scattered across the roadway.
One occupant suffered a laceration to the head, while another had a cut to the chin; both were being evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries. The Kia’s driver was seen out of the vehicle and appeared disoriented, wandering into the traffic lanes before being assisted. A tow was requested to help clear the roadway. The investigation remains ongoing.
We hope both patients have a full recovery.
Why Do People Sometimes Wander Into Traffic Lanes After a Crash?
Confusion or disorientation right after a serious impact is a common and recognized reaction, even in people who don’t appear obviously hurt. A sudden jolt can leave someone temporarily unsteady or unclear about their surroundings, sometimes leading them to step into an area they wouldn’t otherwise consider unsafe.
This kind of disorientation can stem from several sources, including a mild head injury, shock, or simply the overwhelming nature of what just happened. It isn’t always a sign of a serious medical issue, but it’s treated seriously nonetheless, since someone in this state may not recognize the danger of standing in an active lane.
Bystanders and responders are trained to gently guide a disoriented person to safety rather than leave them to navigate on their own. Getting someone away from moving traffic quickly is treated as just as urgent as addressing any visible injuries, since the risk of a second, unrelated crash rises the longer someone remains in harm’s way.
