Fiery Tesla Crash Shuts I-280 in Daly City
- A Tesla flipped and burned on northbound I-280 near Daly City, prompting firefighters to close lanes. - The crash caused major delays, with lanes closed and traffic snarling across several key Bay Area routes. - Investigators and crews worked the scene while authorities warned drivers to expect prolonged delays (patch.com).
A Tesla flipped and caught fire on northbound Interstate 280 in Daly City early Tuesday, shutting down lanes for hours near Hickey Boulevard. (abc7news.com) The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported at about 6:40 a.m. on April 21, 2026, just north of Hickey Boulevard. All four northbound lanes were closed while firefighters and a tow crew worked the scene. (nbcbayarea.com) ABC7 reported the driver got out and was not seriously hurt before the vehicle was engulfed in what one witness described as a “ball of flame.” KTVU identified the vehicle as a Tesla Model Y. (abc7news.com, ktvu.com) The fire forced traffic off one of the main north-south routes into San Francisco during the morning commute. Bay Area drivers were sent onto local streets and alternate highways while crews monitored the burned vehicle and cleared debris. (nbcbayarea.com, 511.org) Electric-vehicle fires are handled differently from gasoline fires because lithium-ion battery cells can keep reigniting after the first flames are knocked down. That risk is why crews often stay on scene longer and keep lanes closed even after the visible fire is out. (abc7news.com, ktvu.com) CHP told ABC7 officers have seen crashes in that stretch before during bad weather. Tuesday’s closure landed on a corridor that already bottlenecks where San Mateo County traffic funnels toward San Francisco. (abc7news.com) By later Tuesday morning, CHP said all lanes had reopened north of Hickey Boulevard. Investigators were still working to determine what caused the rollover that turned into a freeway shutdown. (nbcbayarea.com)
