Palo Alto Police Issue Update On Kyle Shanahan Crash

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jul 28, 2026 10:09 PM ET

The NFL community has received clarity regarding San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's car accident.

Last Saturday, the 49ers revealed that Shanahan suffered a concussion, broken ribs and a broken nose in a car accident on July 14. The veteran coach needed 40 stitches above his right eye.

While speaking to the media this Tuesday afternoon, Shanahan told reporters the 21-year-old woman who was also involved in this crash was unfairly assigned blame. He said the collision near Alma Street and Hamilton Avenue occurred because he took his eyes off the road.

“I hit her. I don’t know why it was reported that way [on the collision report database]. The police report doesn’t say that. I was going 20 miles an hour,” Shanahan said, via ESPN. “I was not on my phone, but I dropped my phone and it was stuck in my seats. It’s on my lap and it slid off. And I went down to look for it and took my eyes off the road for two seconds. And as I was coming up, the airbags hit me in my face, and they broke my nose and then they said the visor really gashed me. … I took my eyes off the road looking for my phone, and my car veered into someone. It’s one of those roads where there’s no forgiveness. … When I hit her, the impact was just so, I’ll just never forget how violent it was.”

Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images&period;

The Palo Alto Police Department later confirmed that Shanahan was at fault for the collision on July 14.

"Kyle Shanahan’s statement that he provided is correct and that he was found at fault for the collision," the Palo Alto Police Department said. "There was a clerical error in the preparation of the report that was transmitted to the State database. We are in the process of correcting that error. It is the officer’s discretion at the scene of the collision as to whether they issue a citation to either party. It is not uncommon for officers to elect to not issue a citation to either party involved in a collision. Neither party in this situation was provided preferential treatment."

Kyle Shanahan should be ready for Week 1.

Despite suffering severe injuries, Shanahan is expected to be on the sideline for the 49ers' season opener.

"The timeline kind of takes care of itself. He's got to meet certain markers," 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters, via ESPN. "But I think the expectation is that long before that he'll be better."

The 49ers will begin the regular season in Melbourne against the Los Angeles Rams.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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