Police: 49ers coach not charged in crash at officer's discretion

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was not cited for a car crash on July 14, even though he admitted to causing the accident. The collision occurred when Shanahan dropped his cellphone and looked down to retrieve it, causing his vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic and strike another car.

Initial reports from the Palo Alto Police department incorrectly blamed the other driver involved, a 21-year-old woman. Police later described that error as a clerical mistake. Although California law prohibits drivers from touching a mobile device while operating a vehicle, the responding officer chose not to issue a citation to Shanahan.

Police officials stated that officers often elect not to issue citations in collision cases and denied that Shanahan received preferential treatment. The department also denied requests for the full accident report and body camera footage, citing confidentiality laws regarding traffic reports.

Shanahan suffered significant injuries in the crash, including a broken nose, three broken ribs, a broken hand, and a concussion. He required 40 stitches for a gash near his eye. The team did not publicly disclose the incident until 11 days later, shortly before the start of training camp. Team sources noted the delay was partly due to the coach managing concussion symptoms.

This incident follows prior discussions about traffic enforcement in the region. Palo Alto officials have previously noted that without an officer witnessing a hands-free violation in person, issuance of tickets remains difficult. Shanahan continues his recovery and has resumed his duties while managing the impact of the concussion.