Head-On Vanpool and Chevrolet Crash on Highway 395 Sends All Occupants to Hospital

Head-on crash involving a vanpool and a Chevrolet on northbound Highway 395 sent all involved to a hospital, authorities reported.

Emergency vehicles with flashing lights respond to a head-on vanpool and Chevrolet crash on Highway 395 at night
First responders manage the scene of a nighttime Highway 395 collision near ‘the Mark’ overpass.

Car Accident on Northbound Highway 395 near "the Mark"

On the night of September 3, 2026, a head-on collision involving a vanpool vehicle and a Chevrolet was reported on northbound Highway 395 near an area referred to as “the Mark.” Authorities first received reports around 8:53 p.m. of a traffic collision with a vehicle partially blocking the northbound lanes. A tow truck was requested to clear the scene. Dispatch logs indicated that the crash involved a vanpool and a Chevrolet in a head-on impact. Within minutes, the incident was upgraded from a collision with unknown injuries to one requiring emergency medical response. Fire crews and additional units were sent to the scene, and multiple tow trucks were requested for the involved vehicles. The county sheriff’s office was also notified, and a deputy responded from Milford. By 9:07 p.m., fire personnel were reported on scene. Later documentation noted a black 2012 GMC among the vehicles towed from the area. Officials reported that all parties involved in the crash were transported to Renown for treatment of injuries. Authorities later indicated that charges would include driving under the influence causing injury, with the possibility of additional charges pending further review.

Incident Details

Accident Typecar accident
Location Typehighway shoulder
Time of Daynighttime
Weatherclear weather
Date2026-09-03
Time20:53
LocationNorthbound Highway 395 near "the Mark"
CountyLassen County
StateCalifornia
Vehicles Involvedvanpool vehicle, Chevrolet, black 2012 GMC
InjuriesAll parties transported to Renown for injuries
Emergency Responsepolice vehicles, paramedics, fire truck, ambulance
AgenciesCalifornia Highway Patrol, Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, Susanville Fire Department
Investigation StatusCharges to include DUI causing injury; additional charges pending

What California law says after a car accident

Reporting requirements after a California collision

California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.

A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.

A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.

Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.

California filing deadlines for injury and death claims

In California, a lawsuit for personal injury caused by another person’s negligence generally must be filed within two years of the injury, under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. A claim for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect runs under the same two-year period.

Shorter deadlines apply in specific situations. If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim must normally be presented to that public entity within six months. Claims involving minors, injuries that are not discovered right away, and certain defendants can follow different timelines.

Which deadline applies depends on the facts of each situation, and the standard two-year period does not govern every claim.

Your Rights After a Car Accident in California

A collision like this one raises questions about fault, insurance and medical costs, usually before anyone has had time to think about them. These guides explain how California handles them.

Injured in This Accident? Get Trusted Legal Guidance

After an accident, the right information can make a meaningful difference. If you or a loved one was hurt, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. can help you understand your rights and options.

Speak with our legal team today before making important decisions.

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