Traffic on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge stood still on Tuesday afternoon after a crash that left one woman dead and another person badly hurt. The California Highway Patrol says the collision happened just before 3 p.m. on the westbound lanes of Highway 92, near the midspan of the bridge linking Hayward and Foster City in California.
Mary Hurtado Duran, 54, was inside her Kia sedan when it stalled in a traffic lane. She did not make it out alive. Emergency crews arrived quickly, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say firefighters confirmed her death before the vehicle was cleared from the roadway.
The SUV that hit Duran’s car was a Ford Transit van with Rooter Hero plumbing graphics on the side. Officials now believe the driver was distracted by his cellphone just moments before the crash. They say he looked away from the road and only saw the stopped car when it was too late to avoid hitting it, even after trying to steer away.
The van driver survived and was rushed to Stanford Hospital with serious injuries. CHP has not shared details about his condition. At this point in the investigation, there’s no word yet on whether charges will be filed, and police are continuing to piece together exactly what happened.
For several hours, all three westbound lanes of the bridge were shut down. Commuters heading from the East Bay toward the Peninsula were stuck or diverted while traffic crews and investigators worked the scene. The lanes reopened late in the evening, just before 8 p.m., but not before long backups stretched through the region.
Officials reminded drivers that stopped or stalled vehicles on busy roadways and bridges pose a major risk. When traffic is moving fast and space is tight, it can take only a split second for a situation to turn deadly. CHP urged motorists to stay alert, keep their eyes on the road, and use hazard lights or roadside assistance if their car breaks down.
Friends and neighbors in San Mateo and beyond expressed sadness and sympathy for Duran’s family. Many took to social media to share memories of her and to remind others that life can change in an instant. Authorities have asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve and as the investigation continues.
