A fatal multi-vehicle collision on southbound U.S. Highway 101 near Millbrae Avenue caused major traffic disruptions Friday evening, bringing one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s busiest commuter corridors to a standstill. The crash, which occurred near San Francisco International Airport (SFO), prompted a significant emergency response from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), local fire departments, and emergency medical personnel as authorities worked to assist those involved and restore traffic flow.
According to preliminary information released by the California Highway Patrol, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 7:00 p.m. following reports of a serious collision involving multiple vehicles on southbound Highway 101 near the Millbrae Avenue exit. First responders arrived to find one vehicle overturned after reportedly rolling multiple times before coming to rest on the roadway.
The driver of the overturned vehicle sustained critical injuries in the crash. Emergency medical personnel provided treatment at the scene before transporting the victim to a nearby hospital. Despite lifesaving efforts, the driver later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities stated that the individual was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.
A second vehicle was also involved in the incident. Officials reported that the occupants of that vehicle were not injured. No additional information regarding those involved has been released, and the identity of the deceased driver is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The crash resulted in the temporary closure of several southbound lanes as emergency crews worked to assist victims, remove damaged vehicles, and conduct an initial investigation. Traffic quickly backed up for several miles, affecting motorists traveling toward San Francisco International Airport, Millbrae, Burlingame, and other Peninsula communities. Drivers experienced lengthy delays throughout the evening as officials urged commuters to use alternate routes whenever possible.
Because Highway 101 serves as one of Northern California’s primary transportation corridors, connecting San Francisco with the Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and numerous surrounding communities, even a single major incident can have widespread impacts on regional traffic. The lane closures contributed to significant congestion during the busy evening travel period.
The California Highway Patrol has launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Investigators will examine physical evidence from the crash scene, review available traffic camera footage, inspect the vehicles involved, and interview witnesses in an effort to determine the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash.
At this stage, authorities have not indicated whether excessive speed, impairment, distracted driving, mechanical failure, or any other contributing factors played a role in the collision. Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and that no conclusions have been reached regarding the cause of the crash.
Emergency crews remained at the scene for several hours as they completed their investigation and cleared debris from the roadway before gradually reopening affected lanes.
The California Highway Patrol is expected to release additional information as the investigation progresses, including the identity of the deceased driver and any findings regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is encouraged to contact investigators.
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