Mary Duran (Full Name: Mary Hurtado Duran) Died in Car Accident on San Mateo-Hayward Bridge With Rooter Hero Plumbing Transit Van
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA (January 24, 2026) – A woman identified as Mary Duran has tragically died in a San Mateo car accident with a Rooter Hero plumbing transit van on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.
San Mateo County officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Mary Duran was in a stalled Kia sedan in the lanes of the roadway.
The California Highway Patrol said that the driver of a Rooter Hero plumbing van was distracted by his cellphone when he collided with the rear of the Kia sedan. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, Mary Duran was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. A passenger in the Kia sustained major injuries and was transported to Stanford Hospital.
It remains unclear if any charges will be filed following the deadly crash. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for San Mateo County Car Accidents
Drivers must exercise a great deal of caution to avoid hitting other vehicles in the roadway. This necessitates that they maintain a safe following distance. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21703, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” There are a number of other factors that could contribute to a car accident.
- Speeding: Drivers are substantially more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle collision if they are traveling at an unsafe speed. What many drivers do not realize is that traveling the speed limit could be dangerous depending on the prevailing road and traffic conditions.
- Distracted Driving: A large portion of car accidents involve a distracted driver. This may include situations where drivers are reaching for an object that fell. They may also be distracted by looking at their cellphone.
- Poor Road Conditions: Dense traffic and inclement weather can create poor road conditions that substantially increase the odds that a collision will take place. Drivers will need to slow down substantially depending on the conditions they encounter.
If a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a vehicle in front of them, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another driver in their own lane of traffic. Liability for a car accident could extend to any driver deemed to be at fault. For example, if a driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be liable for the collision. Generally speaking, employers could be liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
Steps to Take After San Mateo Car Accidents
Car accidents remain a leading cause of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, “2023 marks the second consecutive decrease in deaths. Deaths decreased 3% in 2023, following a 2% decrease in 2022. From 2019 to 2021, deaths increased by 20%. In 2023, 44,762 people died in motor-vehicle crashes compared to 46,027 in 2022 and 46,980 in 2021.” Several actions should be taken after any car accident.
- Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be carefully reviewed. These reports represent an officer’s initial impression of what happened. But they can also contain errors.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records related to the collision should be sought. This will include any autopsy reports. In many cases, these crashes can help establish how a collision took place.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person that may have witnessed the collision should be interviewed as soon as possible while their memories are still fresh. Eyewitnesses can help establish what parties could be liable for a crash.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a motor vehicle collision should seek the guidance of a team with ample experience in injury claims. This team can help identify all liable parties and hold them accountable through a civil action.
The vast majority of car accidents are preventable. They tend to involve some amount of human error. Part of the problem is that many companies will push their drivers to complete service calls as quickly as possible. This often leads to them adopting poor driving habits. Sadly, it’s innocent bystanders that often pay for these decisions with their bodies and lives. It is important that victims of car accidents understand that they do have rights. These rights extend to the family of any person who died in the crash. They are able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60.
Investigating San Mateo Car Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mary Duran. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. What is the safety record of the company that owned this vehicle?
Do you need more information about a San Mateo car accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and holding all liable parties accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we’re here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
