ALAMEDA COUNTY (KRON) — Niles Canyon Rd. was closed Monday morning from Fremont to Sunol as the search for a driver who crashed into a creek continues, according to Fremont Police.
California Highway Patrol closed Niles Canyon Rd. at 10:00 a.m. Monday morning.
The closure will give responders adequate space in the Canyon for the equipment needed to conduct their search for the body and car submerged in Alameda Creek.
Police say they expect the closure to last into the afternoon.
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As the search progresses, additional closures may be necessary throughout the week.
The initial crash happened Saturday around 11:30 a.m. on Niles Canyon Road about a quarter mile away from Palomares Road.
A 2000 silver Honda Accord was traveling west on the road, also called state Highway 84, when it crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a 2016 white Honda Accord, according to CHP spokesman Officer Derek Reed.
After striking the white car, the out of control silver Honda careened into the creek and was completely submerged by the time officers arrived, Reed said.
The driver has been identified as an 18-year-old woman from Tracy. Her condition is unknown at this time.
Officers believe the 18-year-old Tracy woman who was driving is likely still inside the silver Honda. No injuries were reported to passengers of the other car, Reed said.
CHP will also close the road on Tuesday at 10 a.m. so deputies can recover the possible missing car.
Alameda Creek has been running unusually fast and high due to the recent storms, making it difficult for search and rescue personnel to safely attempt to retrieve the car before now.
Niles Canyon Road will be closed until at least Monday afternoon, and the closure will likely affect the evening commute, Reed said.
Drivers are being told to avoid the area and take Mission Boulevard in Fremont south to northbound Interstate Highway 680.
Drivers coming from the Sunol area are being asked to take southbound Highway 680 to Mission Boulevard.
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