Highway 99 in Tulare County, California, has reopened after a major pile-up involving 59 vehicles. The crash happened early Saturday morning, and while initial reports suggested up to 150 vehicles were involved, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) clarified the actual number.
The pile-up began around 8:15 a.m., causing significant chaos. CHP Officer Adrian Gonzalez described the scene: “Vehicles turned over and up on each other.” Crashes occurred in both northbound and southbound lanes near Avenue 24. In just 11 minutes, traffic came to a complete halt.
Ten individuals were transported to the hospital. Nine had minor injuries, while one person suffered a moderate injury. The remaining people were bused to the Tulare Ag Center.
Investigators suspect fog played a key role in the accidents. Visibility was estimated to be between 100 to 200 feet at the time. Just weeks prior, a dense fog incident had resulted in a 17-vehicle crash in Fresno County that tragically claimed two lives.
After learning from that incident, the CHP was able to clear the wreckage and reopen the highway in about six hours. Officer Gonzalez stressed the importance of quick response: “Our main goal is to serve the public in their time of need.”
With more fog forecasted, Officer Gonzalez advises drivers to reduce their speeds. “Slowing down gives you time to react and could prevent major accidents,” he said.
The investigation into this pile-up is ongoing, reminding all drivers to stay safe during foggy conditions. For advice on safe driving, you can check resources like NHTSA.
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150-vehicle pileup forces total closure of Highway 99 in Tulare County, officials say, timely, 18516483
