San Diego police say a Tesla with a camera was among the vehicles and may aid investigators.
SAN DIEGO — A six-vehicle crash near La Jolla Parkway and Hidden Valley Road killed a man and injured several others on Thursday around 8:30 p.m., according to San Diego police. Lanes were shut down for hours as officers documented the scene and redirected traffic in the coastal community.
Police said the collision drew a large response from traffic detectives and patrol officers who worked into the night to interview motorists and witnesses. The San Diego Police Department did not provide a firm injury count by late Thursday but confirmed multiple people were hurt. The crash struck a major route linking La Jolla, Torrey Pines and Interstate 5, raising immediate congestion and lengthening response times for ambulances and tow trucks as crews navigated closures and a debris field spanning several lanes.
Officers established a perimeter around La Jolla Parkway at Hidden Valley Road, placing flares and tape while fire crews checked vehicles for trapped occupants. The department posted a notice that a fatal traffic investigation was underway and warned of extended closures. “Officers are investigating a fatal traffic collision near Torrey Pines Road and La Jolla Parkway in La Jolla. Road closures are in place and traffic is impacted. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes,” the department said in an evening update. Officer Anthony Carrazco said detectives were still sorting out the chain of events and would release confirmed numbers once next-of-kin notifications were complete.
Investigators noted that a Tesla equipped with a video camera was involved, and they plan to review any retrievable footage as evidence. The department did not immediately specify the models of the other vehicles, how many occupants each carried, or whether speed, impairment or road conditions contributed. First responders requested multiple ambulances; the police later said the exact number of injured remained unknown late Thursday. The man who died was pronounced at the scene by paramedics. His name and age will be released by the county medical examiner after family notification.
The crash happened on a corridor that funnels traffic between La Jolla Village and the Torrey Pines mesa, where evening volumes can remain steady after traditional rush hours due to events, dining and hospital shifts. In recent years, police and city engineers have targeted the area for extra enforcement and timing adjustments because minor fender-benders there can quickly escalate into multi-vehicle backups on the steep approach to the coast. Thursday’s crash unfolded as darkness fell, with drivers reporting sudden brake lights and swerving in the minutes before officers arrived and shut down lanes to create a safe work zone.
After securing the site, detectives began standard fatal-collision procedures: mapping the scene, marking skid and impact points, and collecting onboard data. If recovered, the Tesla’s camera recordings, along with any dashcam video from other cars, will be reviewed frame by frame. Tow operators removed the wrecks only after measurements and photographs were complete. Police said they would also check traffic signal logs in the area and canvass for security cameras at nearby homes. The department plans to release further details when the preliminary report is complete in the coming days.
Neighbors said they heard a heavy thud and then a succession of horns. Drivers who encountered the closure described officers guiding them down side streets for several blocks. “It was a mess, and they were trying to keep people calm,” said Aaron Miller, who turned around on La Jolla Parkway after seeing fire engines line the median. Another passerby said crews appeared to focus on two cars at the center of the pileup while tow trucks staged downhill to clear space for investigators.
As of late Thursday, the roadway remained partially restricted while the last vehicles were removed and spilled fluids were cleaned. Police said more information on the victims and preliminary cause would be provided after notifications and lab work. The next update is expected once investigators complete initial interviews and review any video evidence.
Author note: Last updated January 30, 2026.