California State Parks lifeguard runs over woman lying on Half Moon Bay beach
A 20-year-old woman was injured Wednesday afternoon when a California Department of Parks and Recreation lifeguard vehicle drove over her as she lay in the sand at Half Moon Bay State Beach, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies responded around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday to the Kelly Avenue area of the beach after reports that a California park department lifeguard vehicle had struck a person, said Gretchen Spiker, the sheriff's director of communications.
Deputies learned that the vehicle had driven over the beachgoer while she was lying on the sand, Spiker said. Initial reports indicated the driver may have been distracted, she said.
The woman was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
California park department spokesperson Adeline Yee said the collision happened at Francis Beach, part of Half Moon Bay State Beach, and involved a seasonal lifeguard driving a lifeguard vehicle.
Coastside Fire, state park peace officers and American Medical Response responded and provided medical aid, Yee said.
The sheriff's office is leading the investigation at the request of the California park department, Spiker said. The investigation remains ongoing.
The park department did not identify the lifeguard, and the sheriff's office did not release the name of the injured woman.
No additional information was immediately available about what the lifeguard may have been doing before the collision or whether the driver would face any discipline or citation.
The park department's public materials identify Francis Beach as the Kelly Avenue access point for Half Moon Bay State Beach, near the campground and visitor center.
Half Moon Bay State Beach stretches along the San Mateo County coast and includes several beach access points popular with visitors, including Francis, Venice and Dunes beaches.
The collision happened during the summer season at one of the San Mateo County coast's most heavily visited beach areas, where people commonly sunbathe, picnic and walk near the shoreline and coastal trail.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 10:48 AM.