Ben Lomond, CA – On the morning of Saturday, September 20, 2025, a head-on collision left one person dead from traumatic injuries, according to KSBW, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.

The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 8:22 AM on Highway 9 at Brackney Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Investigators said a silver Toyota Tacoma and a Volkswagen Bus collided head-on while crossing a bridge on Highway 9. The crash caused severe injuries to at least one occupant. Emergency responders reached the scene and confirmed one victim had died from the impact.

The collision forced authorities to shut down both directions of Highway 9. CHP requested a hard closure and issued a Sig Alert while Caltrans crews set up barricades. Officials reported that the closure lasted several hours as investigators gathered evidence and cleared debris.

Authorities stated that the roadway reopened around 1:14 PM after recovery crews towed the damaged vehicles from the scene.

The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the collision to determine how the two vehicles entered the same lane and what factors contributed to the deadly crash.

Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence

Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility.  Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.

California Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.