safety
3 killed after car plunges off Highway 9 near Saratoga
By Joel Soria at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
Three people were killed after a car crashed off Highway 9 and down a steep embankment near Saratoga in the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP’s San Jose office said officers responded to a report of a crash on State Route 9 west of Redwood Gulch Road. When o...
Key takeaway CHP’s San Jose office said officers responded to a report of a crash on State Route 9 west of Redwood Gulch Road.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The tragic crash on Highway 9 near Saratoga raises concerns about the safety of this winding road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The steep embankments and sharp curves of Highway 9 can be particularly hazardous, especially at night or for inexperienced drivers. This incident may prompt local residents to call for improved safety measures, such as enhanced lighting or guardrails, to prevent similar accidents in the future. The closure of Highway 9 for three hours also disrupted traffic in the area, highlighting the importance of this route for commuters and residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, the community will be watching to see if any changes are made to improve safety on this stretch of road. The CHP's appeal for witnesses and information also suggests that they are still working to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The San Francisco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Three people were killed after a car crashed off Highway 9 and down a steep embankment near Saratoga in the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP’s San Jose office said officers responded to a report of a crash on State Route 9 west of Redwood Gulch Road. When o...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joel Soria at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter