SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. — What started as a routine traffic response on Interstate 280 turned into a terrifying scene on Monday afternoon when a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was struck by a 2026 Tesla Model Y.
Around 2:15 p.m., the officer was managing a lane closure after a report of an electric leaf blower obstructing traffic near Page Mill Road. While conducting a traffic break just south of Alpine Road, the Tesla collided with the officer’s patrol motorcycle, violently throwing him onto the pavement.
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
First responders quickly arrived on the scene as traffic backed up for miles. Officials confirmed that the officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported for evaluation. The Tesla driver remained at the scene and fully cooperated with investigators.
The incident has prompted renewed questions about driver attentiveness and the role of vehicle assistance technologies in highway safety. CHP investigators are documenting every detail to determine the cause of the crash.
Colleagues, fellow officers, and the local community expressed relief that the officer survived and continue to offer support and well-wishes. The crash serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced daily by officers protecting California’s roads.