Tragedy struck on Saturday morning as a massive 35-vehicle pile-up occurred on southbound Interstate 5 near Old River Road, resulting in two fatalities. The incident involved 17 vehicles and 18 big rigs, with 9 individuals sustaining minor to moderate injuries.
Yesenia Cruz, a driver involved in the crash, shared her harrowing experience, stating that their GPS alerted them to the accident, prompting them to stop. Within minutes, the vehicle behind them collided, setting off a chain reaction of chaos.
CHP Buttonwillow PIO Manny Garcia indicated that the closure of southbound Interstate 5, spanning from Millux Road to Old River Road, is anticipated to persist throughout the day. The closure has led to traffic detours onto eastbound Highway 223 to southbound 99.
KCFD Battalion Chief Jim Calhoun reported that two people lost their lives while nine others were transported to the hospital for treatment. The dense fog prevalent at the time is considered a significant factor contributing to the accidents.
In response to the incident, the Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Teams (MAIT) from the California Highway Patrol are now actively involved in the investigation, seeking to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
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