Toddler, 2, killed in horrific crash outside Apple’s HQ in California

November 8, 2026 / Sophie Clearwater /

A two-year-old girl was killed Friday when two cars collided outside Apple’s sprawling headquarters in Cupertino, and the other driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.

The Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner identified the child as Riley Howard of San Jose.

The crash happened around noon at the intersection of North Tantau Avenue and Pruneridge Avenue, in front of the Apple Park Visitor Center.

When firefighters arrived, they found two cars that had smashed into each other, one of them in flames, according to Santa Clara County Fire officials.

One witness described hearing the impact and watching one of the vehicles spin out.

“I heard the crash and watched the car kind of spin around. It was sparking from hitting the curb I guess,” Jerry Pannone told ABC7 Eyewitness News.

Bystanders found the toddler unconscious and began performing CPR until paramedics arrived, officials said.

Riley was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later died, according to fire officials. Two adults were also taken to the hospital.

A woman who was in the same car as Riley remains in critical condition. Authorities have not said how she is related to the child.

The driver of the other car, a man, suffered minor injuries and has since been released from the hospital. Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies arrested him on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.

Authorities have not released his name.

On Saturday, mourners gathered at the intersection for a memorial, leaving flowers, candles and a photo of Riley at the scene of the crash.

Apple Park, the tech giant’s ring-shaped campus, sits on the eastern edge of Cupertino. Its visitor center, which includes an Apple Store and a café, is open to the public and draws tourists from around the world.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.