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Palo Alto Police Withhold Kyle Shanahan Crash Video, Coach Injured

7/31/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Palo Alto Police Department will not release the video, 911 call, or accident report from the July 14 crash involving 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
The department said the materials are exempt under the California Public Records Act.
Shanahan said he caused the collision after looking away to retrieve his phone from his lap.
He suffered a severe concussion and other injuries that have limited his participation in 49ers training camp.

History

Historical Context

California enacted the Public Records Act in 1968, signed by Governor Ronald Reagan, to guarantee public inspection of government documents. Proposition 59 in 2004 enshrined that right in the state constitution, and SB 1421 in 2018 required disclosure of police use-of-force records. After the act’s 2023 recodification, the Palo Alto Police Department cited it to withhold a crash video, echoing earlier legal disputes over transparency.

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Story summary

Palo Alto Police Department will not release the video, 911 call, or accident report from the July 14 crash involving 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
The department said the materials are exempt under the California Public Records Act.
Shanahan said he caused the collision after looking away to retrieve his phone from his lap.
He suffered a severe concussion and other injuries that have limited his participation in 49ers training camp.

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