Niles Canyon Road closed to search for car

Niles Canyon Road is closed Monday from Fremont to Sunol so emergency crews can search for a car that went off the road and into Alameda Creek on Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At about 10:45 a.m. Saturday, a 2000 silver Honda Accord was traveling west on the road, also called state Highway 84, when it crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a 2016 white Honda Accord, according to CHP spokesman Officer Derek Reed.

After striking the white car, the out of control silver Honda careened into the creek and was completely submerged by the time officers arrived, Reed said.

Officers believe the 18-year-old Tracy woman who was driving is likely still inside the silver Honda. No injuries were reported to passengers of the other car, Reed said.

The road closure, which started at 10 a.m. Monday, will allow teams from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the Fremont Fire Department to more safely search for the car and its driver.

Alameda Creek has been running unusually fast and high due to the recent storms, making it difficult for search and rescue personnel to safely attempt to retrieve the car before now.

Niles Canyon Road will be closed until at least Monday afternoon, and the closure will likely affect the evening commute, Reed said.

Drivers are being told to avoid the area and take Mission Boulevard in Fremont south to northbound Interstate Highway 680.

Drivers coming from the Sunol area are being asked to take southbound Highway 680 to Mission Boulevard.