Fatal crash on San Mateo-Hayward Bridge blocks all westbound lanes

By Carlos E. Castañeda

A crash on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge on Tuesday afternoon killed one person and temporarily halted all westbound traffic, authorities said.

The crash happened east of the midspan shortly before 3 p.m. and blocked all three westbound lanes in the non-commute direction. 

The California Highway Patrol said a silver sedan was stalled in one of the traffic lanes when a white van rear-ended the sedan. The driver of the sedan was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger in the van, which had branding from Rooter Hero plumbing, was taken to a hospital, the CHP said.

No alcohol or drugs were involved, the CHP said.

Westbound traffic onto the bridge was being diverted onto Clawiter Road in Hayward, while those past Clawiter who were stuck on the bridge were being turned around, going eastbound in the westbound lanes back toward the toll plaza.

The CHP said at 3:37 p.m. that the estimated time of reopening the westbound lanes was unknown.

This is a breaking news update. More information to be added as available.