Tragedy Strikes Fog-Covered I-5: 2 Killed, 9 Injured

The multiple vehicle crash on I-5 on Saturday.Photo byKBAK/KBFX

In a tragic and chaotic incident north of Los Angeles, a massive pileup involving an estimated 40 vehicles unfolded on Saturday amid foggy conditions along Interstate 5. The catastrophic collision resulted in two fatalities and left nine others injured, casting a pall of devastation and chaos on the main north-south corridor of the West Coast.

The fatal pileup occurred on the southbound side of I-5 in Kern County, approximately 33 miles north of the Los Angeles County line. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reported the closure of the freeway at Millux Road as the California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators worked diligently to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the precise cause of the collision, according to CHP spokesperson Tami Grimes.

Confirming the grim toll, Grimes indicated that two lives were lost, with further details expected to emerge later in the day. Kern County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Calhoun disclosed to KGET, a Bakersfield affiliate, that nine individuals sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

The scene of the pileup, shrouded in dense fog, reduced visibility to a mere 10 feet when emergency responders arrived, as reported by Calhoun. Reports suggested that the collision involved as many as 40 vehicles, clustering into three major collisions in close proximity, including 18 tractor-trailers, as detailed by Grimes and the battalion chief.

The distressing incident was reported shortly after 7:30 a.m. in a rural stretch of the freeway situated in the town of Conner, situated north of the Grapevine area, notorious for its susceptibility to snow-related issues.

The region's notorious tule fog, known for its heavy mist that rises after soil saturation from rain, is common in the San Joaquin Valley and has engulfed the area, limiting visibility drastically. KGET highlighted that this type of fog often persists due to high-pressure air trapping it in the area.

As the day progressed, forecasts indicated hazardous weather conditions persisting into the night and following day, with a storm expected to bring several inches of snow to the Grapevine area. Additionally, the National Weather Service cautioned about ice and potentially fierce wind gusts up to 80 mph in the corridor north of Los Angeles.

The advisory issued by meteorologists warned motorists to be vigilant against blizzard-like conditions, marked by low visibility due to blowing snow, further compounding the challenging circumstances on the already treacherous roads.