CALIFORNIA – A tragic accident unfolded on California’s Interstate 5, where 35 vehicles, including 18 sizable trucks, were involved in a collision that claimed the lives of two individuals and left nine others injured. The incident occurred amid challenging visibility caused by dense fog.
Yesenia Cruz, a driver caught in the chaos, shared her harrowing experience: “Our GPS warned us about the accident, so we came to a stop. Two minutes after stopping, the car behind us hit us, and everything happened rapidly.” The fog enveloping the highway added an extra layer of danger to the situation.
Manny Garcia, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Buttonwillow, suggested that fog played a crucial role in triggering the accident. “All witnesses reported fog visibility of about 100 feet at that time. The thick fog contributed to the collision,” Garcia explained.
Cruz described the immediate chaos after the impact: “Everyone started screaming for help all of a sudden, and there were also little kids crying.” The swift mobilization of passersby and drivers to assist marked contrast to the unfolding tragedy.
The California Highway Patrol reported that nine individuals suffered minor to moderate injuries, while unfortunately, two people lost their lives in the accident. The emergency response was complicated by the presence of compressed natural gas, with damaged tanks on some of the affected trucks.
KCFD Battalion Chief Jim Calhoun shared details about the emergency actions: “It was quite chaotic when I first arrived at the scene. There were broken compressed natural gas tanks, and many passersby were trying to help amidst a cloud of gas. We prioritized evacuation and medical care for all those affected.”
This fatal 35-vehicle pileup accident underscores the importance of caution in adverse weather conditions and the need for an effective emergency response on our highways. The community comes together in solidarity in the face of lives lost and the repercussions of this unfortunate event.
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