Tesla crashes into CHP motorcycle officer, ejecting him from bike, causing I-280 backup

Highway 280 crash closes lanes in San Mateo County

A crash shut down several lanes on southbound Highway 280 near Alpine Road in San Mateo County.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer was injured after a Tesla crashed into him causing the officer to be ejected from his vehicle, CHP says. 

Officer was responding to leaf blower in roadway

What we know:

The crash on southbound Interstate 280, just south of Alpine Road in San Mateo County, shut down several lanes Monday, authorities said.

The CHP said at 1:41 p.m., an electric leaf blower was reported in the two left southbound lanes. A CHP motorcycle officer from the Redwood City office responded to initiate a traffic break, officials said. 

Tesla driver didn't yield

Dig deeper:

Officials said the officer had his emergency lights on while conducting the traffic break, but that a 2026 Tesla Model Y did not yield to the officer and crashed into him. The officer was ejected from the bike, which was seen toppled over in one of the traffic lanes. 

CHP said the officer suffered major non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. 

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The driver of the car and one passenger were airlifted to a nearby hospital and are being treated for major injuries, according to the CHP.

CHP did not identify the officer injured. They said the driver of the Tesla remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. 

Officials said they do not know if Tesla's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems was in use at the time of the crash, but they are investigating. 

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office warned drivers to expect major delays lasting several hours and advised using alternate routes. CHP also said the three left southbound lanes in that area will be closed for several more hours due to the investigation. By 8:30 p.m., all lanes had reopened.  

Video from SkyFOX showed the stopped Tesla with a dent on its side and the injured officer's motorcycle down in the middle of the highway. A CHP spokesperson said the motorcycle had slid after the crash.