49ers' Kyle Shanahan Takes Responsibility for Car Accident, Shares Details in New Comments

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan accepted responsibility for the July 14 car accident that left him limited for the start of training camp.

Shanahan spoke to reporters on Tuesday and clarified that he was at fault for the accident. Shanahan said he took his eyes off the road briefly to find his phone after it fell between the seats, causing him to cross the double lines into oncoming traffic and crash into an SUV. He added that the California Highway Patrol database made a clerical error by attributing the accident to the other driver.

The Palo Alto Police Department released a statement confirming the clerical error, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN:

"Kyle Shanahan's statement that he provided is correct and that he was found at fault for the collision. There was a clerical error in the preparation of the report that was transmitted to the State database. We are in the process of correcting that error. It is the officer's discretion at the scene of the collision as to whether they issue a citation to either party. It is not uncommon for officers to elect to not issue a citation to either party involved in a collision. Neither party in this situation was provided preferential treatment."

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Wagoner reported on Saturday that Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs and his hand, needed more than 40 stitches in his face, and suffered a severe concussion in the accident. Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that while his concussion is "serious," he did not lose consciousness or have amnesia.

49ers assistant head coach Chris Foerster has assumed some of Shanahan's duties until he returns. Wagoner reported that Shanahan watched practice from a distance on Sunday and Monday as his recovery continues.

"He's our guy," 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said Monday. "He's the one leading all team meetings and stuff and going over just situational football, what practice is going to look like. He's our leader. So, it has been weird in terms of not having that. ... I will say, I think the assistant coaches have done a good job of stepping up. That side of it is really good and positive. But obviously, he's our head coach and we all want him here."