Fatal Rollover Crash on I-280 in Daly City

Passenger Killed in Rollover Crash on I-280 Near Serramonte Boulevard in Daly City

Authorities are investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision that occurred late Thursday morning, January 1, 2026, on northbound Interstate 280 just north of the Serramonte Boulevard on-ramp in Daly City. Preliminary reports indicate that a gray SUV struck the center divider and overturned around 11:10 AM. One passenger was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A second occupant became trapped inside the overturned SUV and required extrication by emergency crews.

California Highway Patrol and local fire personnel initiated a traffic break and closed the two left northbound lanes to clear debris, conduct rescue operations, and begin an on-scene investigation. A SigAlert was issued while responders worked to secure the area and remove the vehicle. The lanes were reopened later in the afternoon after the coroner’s response and evidence collection. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.


What We Know So Far

- Location: Northbound I-280 near the Serramonte Boulevard on-ramp, Daly City.
- Time: Approximately 11:10 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
- Vehicles/Parties: Single gray SUV involved; at least two occupants.
- Injury/Fatality: Passenger ejected and pronounced deceased; another occupant trapped and extricated.
- Traffic Impact: Debris across lanes, two left lanes closed under a SigAlert; reopened after investigative and towing operations.
- Status: Identity pending next-of-kin notification; cause under active investigation.

Investigators typically examine vehicle damage patterns, physical evidence on the roadway, electronic data from the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR), and witness statements to determine the sequence of events and potential contributing factors.


Understanding Rollover Crashes and Ejection Risks

Rollover crashes, particularly involving SUVs and taller vehicles, can occur when a vehicle’s trajectory changes abruptly—such as striking a center divider—or when momentum and weight transfer lead to a tip and roll. Factors that may contribute include:

- Speed relative to roadway conditions.
- Sudden evasive maneuvers or overcorrection.
- Impact with fixed objects like a median barrier.
- Tire issues (blowouts or low pressure).
- Road surface hazards, debris, or design features that affect traction or stability.

Ejection is among the most serious outcomes in rollover collisions and is often associated with catastrophic injuries. Seat belt usage, seat design, door latching integrity, and the performance of airbags and curtain restraints all play roles in whether occupants remain contained. Regardless of ultimate fault, ejection cases warrant careful technical analysis of restraint systems and potential product or component failures.


Single-Vehicle Crashes Can Involve Multiple Forms of Liability

Although this incident is categorized as a single-vehicle crash, liability is not always limited to the driver. Under California law, responsibility can be shared among multiple parties if their negligence contributed to the crash:

- Other Drivers: A nearby driver who cut off the SUV or made an unsafe lane change could contribute to a loss of control, even if that driver did not collide with the SUV. Witness statements and dashcam footage can be crucial in such scenarios.
- Roadway Conditions: Poorly maintained road surfaces, inadequate signage, obscured sightlines, or hazardous median designs can contribute to a crash. In cases involving roadway defects, a public entity may share responsibility, subject to strict claim deadlines.
- Vehicle or Component Defects: Tire failures, stability control malfunctions, defective seat belts, or door latch failures can increase the risk of rollovers and ejections. Expert inspection and preservation of the vehicle are essential for evaluating these issues.

California follows comparative negligence rules. This means that even if a driver or passenger is found partially responsible, damages may still be available but can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned. Comparative negligence often becomes a nuanced factual question resolved through investigation, expert analysis, and litigation if necessary.


Passenger Rights and Potential Claims

Passengers are typically covered under the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, regardless of whether the at-fault driver was operating the vehicle they occupied or another vehicle involved. In a single-vehicle crash:

- Claims Against the Driver’s Policy: Passengers (or their surviving family members) can bring claims under the driver’s bodily injury liability coverage.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): If another driver contributed to the crash and lacks sufficient insurance, UM/UIM coverage carried by the passenger or the driver’s policy may provide additional compensation.
- Product Liability Claims: If a vehicle or component defect contributed to the rollover or ejection, the manufacturer and related entities may be responsible under product liability law.

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Rollover crashes with ejection frequently involve complex legal issues, including vehicle stability, restraint-system performance, roadway conditions, and comparative negligence. As CHP continues investigating the I-280 collision near Serramonte Boulevard, families may need clarity about potential wrongful death, product liability, or roadway-defect claims under California law.

Avian Law Group has experience handling fatal rollover and passenger-injury cases throughout the Bay Area. If your family has been affected by this tragedy, our attorneys can evaluate all potential causes, identify responsible parties, and pursue full and fair compensation. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.