San Mateo County, CA – On the evening of Monday, February 2, 2026, a head-on collision resulted in a fatality and major injuries, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 6:30 PM near State Route 1 and Capistrano Road.
The high-impact incident, which occurred on State Route 1 just north of Capistrano Road, initially involved a truck striking another vehicle. Subsequent reports clarified the crash as a head-on collision after a dark van swerved out of its lane and struck a white truck.
Emergency personnel, including the fire department, were dispatched to the scene, where they reported one party was unresponsive at the intersection. Due to the gravity of the circumstances, authorities advised of a major injury and requested two flatbed tow trucks. The situation rapidly escalated, prompting the fire department to initiate LifeFlight procedures.
While two individuals were later determined by the California Highway Patrol to be conscious and breathing, the problem status was officially updated from a traffic collision with major injuries to a fatality.
The collision severely impacted traffic, leading the California Highway Patrol to issue a Sig Alert that closed both the northbound and southbound lanes of State Route 1 just north of Capistrano Road. Multiple motorists stopped at the crash site to provide assistance. Towing companies were called to the scene to remove the vehicles.
Following the confirmation of a fatality, the San Mateo County (SMCO) Coroner was notified and advised that they would communicate with CHP officials before proceeding to Stanford. The roadway was fully reopened by 9:56 PM, and the Sig Alert was canceled shortly before 10:00 PM. An additional request was made to ATLAS Towing for a second tow truck to assist with evidence collection.
Personal Injury Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should evidence reveal that another party contributed to the injuries, victims may be eligible to file a Personal Injury Claim with the responsible party’s insurance, which can provide compensation for medical bills and lost wages during recovery.
