Bay Area Woman Dead, Her 2 Children Hospitalized After Driver Runs Red Light: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — A mother and her two young children were hit by a driver of an SUV Thursday in San Mateo after he ran a red light and broadsided their car, killing her and putting the two children in critical condition at the hospital, police said.

At around 6:17 p.m. on Thursday, the San Mateo Police Department and California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a major traffic collision in the area of Alameda de las Pulgas and Highway 92, police said.

SMPD officers said when they arrived at the scene they found a Ford SUV and a Toyota Prius had been involved in the crash.

The driver of the Prius, a 30-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene and her two young children, boys ages 5 and 7, were transported the hospital and were last listed an in critical but stable condition, police said.

The SMPD have not identified the driver killed at this time.

"Our investigation continues as we send our condolences to the family as they process this tragedy. We have offered support via our Chaplain and Peer Support programs, as well as through our Youth Services Unit/PAL," the SMPD said.

The driver of the Ford, who was the sole occupant in his car, was transported to the hospital for minor injuries, police said.

The SMPD is withholding his identity at this time.

Officers said their preliminary investigation shows that the Ford was exiting the eastbound Highway 92 off-ramp at Alameda de las Pulgas and had a red light.

The Prius was traveling northbound on Alameda de las Pulgas and had a green light green, police said.

The driver of the Ford didn't stop for the red light and hit the Prius, police said.

"[We] are currently working to determine why the driver of the Ford failed to stop for the red light, but we can confirm he was not driving impaired," police said.

Officers closed down the eastbound on-ramp and off-ramp for Highway 92 and Alameda de las Pulgas in both directions from W. 20th Avenue to Barneson Avenue for about four hours on Thursday.

"Reports about the family being in the SUV, an SUV hitting a light pole, and a car going off the overpass are all false reports," police said.