A traffic collision involving a tow truck sent an unoccupied vehicle flying onto Bay Area Rapid Transit tracks along Interstate 580 in Castro Valley on Tuesday afternoon, prompting lane closures, transit interruptions, and hours of cleanup during the evening commute, according to authorities.
A Car Comes Loose Mid-Crash
The California Highway Patrol says the incident happened just before 3 p.m. on westbound I-580 near Eden Canyon Road and involved three vehicles. Preliminary findings indicate the car had been secured on the bed of a tow truck when the crash occurred, coming loose during the collision and landing on the adjacent BART tracks.
The tow truck driver sustained major injuries and was taken to a hospital; authorities said his condition wasn’t immediately known. No other injuries were reported, and the car that landed on the tracks was unoccupied at the time.
An unoccupied car flew off a tow truck and onto the BART tracks alongside the freeway in Castro Valley Tuesday afternoon, the CHP says.
BART service has stopped between Castro Valley and West Dublin/Pleasanton due to the obstruction. pic.twitter.com/3RjGTGX6j6
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) December 16, 2025
Hours of Traffic Chaos
The collision caused significant traffic disruptions across the area. Several lanes of I-580 were shut down in both directions as emergency crews responded and worked to stabilize the scene, contributing to heavy congestion during peak commute hours. Lanes were gradually reopened, with full access restored around 6 p.m.
BART Service Grinds to a Halt
BART service was also affected by the vehicle landing on the tracks. Train service was initially halted between the Castro Valley and West Dublin/Pleasanton stations to ensure safety while crews assessed the situation. Service resumed shortly after 6 p.m., though trains were limited to a single track through the affected area, causing major delays between the two stations.
Cleanup efforts continued for several hours, with crews ultimately using a crane to safely lift and remove the vehicle from the tracks, allowing transit operations to partially resume while repairs and inspections were completed.
Authorities say the cause of the crash remains under investigation. The incident is a reminder of the ripple effects a single roadway collision can have across multiple transportation systems, particularly in heavily traveled corridors where highways and rail lines run side by side.