- A 17-car pileup occurred on Highway 99 in dense California fog.
- Visibility was down to 10 to 15 feet, causing several collisions.
- A 61-year-old man was killed after leaving his crashed vehicle.
Foggy conditions contributed to a tragic 17-car pileup on state Route 99 in Fresno, California, on Sunday morning, leading to the death of one person and injuring at least 20 others. It has prompted local authorities to issue a warning for motorists to slow down in bad weather.
Investigators believe an initial crash occurred between two vehicles, as fog reduced visibility to as little as 10 to 15 feet. It’s reported that a couple exited their car after this collision, but were then hit by another car emerging from the fog.
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The force of the impact shunted a female into the guardrail and 40 feet down an embankment, where she suffered serious injuries. A 61-year-old was also hit and pronounced dead at the scene.
A pile-up quickly ensued, involving over a dozen cars and a semi-truck. Images shared online by the California Highway Patrol show that several vehicles suffered extensive damage, including one that was nearly entirely crushed by the semi-truck. Those involved suffered a mixture of minor and major injuries.
“Bad weather can play a tragic role on our roadways,” the CHP said. “Yesterday’s crash on Highway 99 is a heartbreaking reminder of how unsafe speed for conditions, combined with dense fog can turn an early-morning drive into a life-changing event.”
“While many winter days are clear, when conditions change, our driving habits must change too,” authorities added. “Driving in fog: Slow down, use low-beam headlights, increase following distance, stay fully attentive – no distractions. If needed, postpone your trip.”
Speaking with ABC7, Melissa Culver described what it was like to be caught up in the middle of the pile-up, and the multiple hits the car she was in with her husband took.
“Out of nowhere, just this thick layer of fog,” she said. “A rattle and a sense of disbelief, and before composure can ever step in, yet again, it is another rattle, bang, all over the place, what just happened, and then on repeat. We ended up in a side-facing position, and I believe impacts three through seven were all on my husband’s side.”
