A horrific pile-up took place in the early hours of Saturday, January 6, 2024, on a fog-covered section of Interstate 5 near Bakersfield, California.
The incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m., involved a total of 35 vehicles, including 18 large trucks. The outcome was tragic, with two people losing their lives and nine others sustaining injuries.
Reports indicate that the pile-up spanned a half-mile section of the interstate. The visibility conditions were reportedly poor due to heavy fog, with some witnesses reporting visibility of only 100 feet at the time of the incident. By the time first responders arrived, visibility was down to around 10 feet, according to Jim Calhoun, a spokesperson for the Kern County Fire Department. The poor visibility likely contributed significantly to the severity of the pile-up.
The impact of the multi-vehicle crash resulted in the rupture of compressed natural gas tanks on several trucks, adding a layer of complexity to the rescue efforts. The presence of leaked gas necessitated the evacuation of uninjured individuals who were assisting with rescue operations due to the significant risks associated with the gas.
Following the incident, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced a prolonged closure of the southbound lanes of the interstate for debris removal and an investigation into the cause of the pile-up. The closure, affecting the stretch between SR-223 and Older River Road, necessitated traffic reroutes.
Yesenia Cruz, a motorist involved in the pile-up, recounted being hit soon after stopping her vehicle in response to a GPS alert about the accident. This incident was one of many that contributed to the expansive pile-up.
In the aftermath of the accident, nine people were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to moderate, while two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
As the investigation continues, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in collaboration with other agencies, aims to determine the exact cause of the pile-up to prevent similar events in the future.
