CHP says a 65-year-old woman died at the scene as investigators examined a single-vehicle crash that flipped an SUV onto its roof.
DALY CITY, CA — A driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a rollover crash on northbound Interstate 280 killed a 65-year-old passenger late Thursday morning near Serramonte Boulevard, the California Highway Patrol said. Two left lanes were closed for several hours as crews worked the scene.
The crash drew a large response at the start of the New Year holiday, with CHP, fire crews and a coroner’s team converging on the freeway. Officials said the single vehicle overturned around 11:11 a.m., trapping at least one person and leaving debris across the northbound lanes. The investigation is in its early stages, but authorities allege the driver showed signs of impairment and was taken into custody after receiving medical care. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family. Traffic backed up through Daly City as the closure remained in effect through early afternoon.
According to preliminary information from CHP incident logs, the SUV lost control in the left lane just north of the Serramonte Boulevard area shortly after 11 a.m. and struck an embankment before rolling onto its roof. A second passenger, a 19-year-old woman who was riding in the front seat, suffered minor injuries, officials said. The lanes one and two closures began within minutes as first responders arrived and cut off access to the scene. A coroner was requested around 11:35 a.m., and investigators documented skid marks and vehicle damage before arranging a tow. CHP said the arrested driver would be booked into the San Mateo County jail after hospital clearance and required testing.
California Highway Patrol spokesperson Andrew Barclay said the passenger who died appeared to have been ejected during the rollover. He said the crash involved a gray sport-utility vehicle and emphasized that the cause remains under investigation, including speed and possible impairment. CHP’s Daly City-area logs noted one person initially reported trapped inside the wreckage, and the vehicle came to rest on its roof in the left lanes. The 19-year-old front-seat passenger’s injuries were described as minor. Authorities did not release the identities of anyone involved Thursday and did not specify the hospital treating the driver.
The wreck occurred on a busy stretch of I-280 that often sees heavy midday traffic and occasional high-speed collisions. In recent years, that corridor near Hickey and Serramonte boulevards has had multiple rollover responses and lane closures tied to injury crashes. Thursday’s fatality came as holiday traffic increased across the Peninsula. Investigators typically examine whether seat belts were used and whether occupants were properly restrained when vehicles overturn. The San Mateo County coroner will conduct a postmortem and confirm the cause of death.
Officials said the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI and transported for medical evaluation before booking. CHP indicated standard toxicology tests would be administered as part of the case file. As of late afternoon Thursday, no formal charges had been announced and no court date had been set. The investigation will include a reconstruction of the crash dynamics, a review of the vehicle’s mechanical condition, and interviews with witnesses. Once identified, the driver could face counts that include vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing death, subject to review by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Drivers navigating the area described long delays as the closure pushed traffic into the remaining lanes. Tow trucks staged on the left shoulder while CHP units conducted traffic breaks to clear debris. By early afternoon, crews had righted the SUV and reopened the roadway in stages as measurements and photographs were completed. “We appreciate motorists’ patience during the investigation,” CHP said in a statement Thursday, noting that further updates would be provided once the coroner releases the victim’s identity.
As of Thursday evening, CHP had not released the names of the driver or passengers. The next public update is expected after the coroner notifies next of kin and toxicology screening results are returned in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated January 2, 2026.