Kyle Shanahan says car accident was his fault after phone distraction
The 49ers coach said he crossed a median after reaching for his phone and called earlier fault reports inaccurate.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Kyle Shanahan says the Kyle Shanahan car accident was his fault, telling reporters he was looking for his phone when he took his eyes off the road before the July 14 crash.
The San Francisco 49ers head coach gave the account during a Tuesday meeting with a small group of reporters in his office. Shanahan said his phone had fallen between seats and that he reached down to retrieve it, according to his comments to the media.
By the time he looked up again, Shanahan said, he had crossed the median and was headed toward an SUV. He said earlier reports that placed blame on the other driver were wrong.
What happened in Kyle Shanahan's car accident?
Shanahan said the crash happened after he became distracted while searching for his phone between the seats. He told reporters he crossed the median before the collision with an SUV.
Reports citing California Highway Patrol crash records had said the other driver was at fault. Shanahan disputed that version, telling reporters the responsibility was his.
The coach also addressed his condition after the crash. According to ESPN reporter Nick Wagoner, Shanahan said he did not lose consciousness and did not have amnesia afterward.
Shanahan did, however, describe the concussion he suffered as serious, Wagoner reported.
What injuries did Chris Simms say Shanahan suffered?
Chris Simms, a longtime friend of Shanahan, previously described a long list of injuries from the crash. Simms said Shanahan had a broken nose, broken ribs, a broken hand and a large facial cut that needed 40 stitches.
Simms also said Shanahan nearly lost an eye in the accident. Shanahan’s Tuesday comments did not add new detail on that specific claim, based on the accounts from reporters who attended the meeting.
The crash comes during the 49ers’ offseason, with Shanahan still leading the team after another high-profile year in San Francisco. His comments put the focus back on a split-second distraction: a fallen phone, a quick reach, and a crash he now says should be pinned on him.
Shanahan’s account also corrected the public record as he saw it. Rather than letting the California Highway Patrol record reports stand unchallenged, he told reporters directly that the other driver should not be blamed.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.