60-Vehicle Pileup Closes I-5 In California
A massive 60-car pileup on Interstate-5 has caused the interstate to be closed going north through Siskiyou County.
It is believed that ice on the roadway triggered the accident, which reportedly involves seven injuries and no fatalities, according to CBS Local.
Cal Fire confirmed that the pileup occurred on a two-mile stretch of the West Coast interstate between Yreka and Hornbrook, just south of the border with Oregon.
The accident was first reported around 6:18 pm local time when a semi truck hit a concrete wall after it lost control going over a patch of black ice. A witness reported that she was lucky to drive through the accident area without a problem, though she heard the semi truck hit something as well as a series of other crashes.
The witness drove to the closest rest stop and called 911. I-5 is currently closed in both directions while authorities work to clear up and investigate the 60-car pileup. A shelter has been set up at the Siskyous County Fairgrounds in Yreka while emergency crews work the scene and take witness statements.
FOX 40 reports that there were multiple injuries, though the majority of the cars were not badly damaged. Seven of those injured in the I-5 pileup have been taken to hospitals in the area, including one that was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Medford, Oregon.
It is not clear when I-5 will re-open both ways. The temperature in Yreka at the time of the accident was below freezing, and overnight temperatures in the area are expected to be below 21 with a chance of snow.
Tags : 60-car pileup, 60-car pileup on i-5, i-5 car accident, massive pileup i-5, pileup, pileup i-5
Posted: December 19, 2012
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Dec 19, 2012
These massive pileups have become all too common Ban CARS. Come on Obaboon do something Ban these contraptions their entire purpose is to maim and kill. Pass some laws banning cars. What is wrong with you Obaboon?
Dec 19, 2012
Oh we can't have this. We're going to have to regulate these things. Innocent people are being harmed by these cars. I don't know anyone who hunts with one of these things. And what about the children? They could catch a finger in the door and then years later they might not be able to flip you off when you tell them they can't have the car. Oh Oh Oh Oh…..damn…I've shit in my pants…..that's it, we're going to ban underwear….and shit….OH OH OH…..
Stupid humans.
Dec 19, 2012
Could it be that a driver was TAILGATING!
Dec 19, 2012
I have driven the strech of i-5 from cali to wash state and even when there is no snow it can be bad.
Dec 19, 2012
Ban cars in California or get Joe Biden to lead a team to detemine what to do about this problem.
Dec 19, 2012
Umm, that's a picture of Southern California, not Siskiyou county…
Dec 19, 2012
Californians should be banned from the highways with inclement weather.
Dec 19, 2012
I-5 is a huge accident waiting to happen, with the tule fog and the way they drive in California.
Dec 19, 2012
It a picture of Northern California. Siskyou County is close to the Oregon border.
Dec 19, 2012
Well – actually I think most people should be. You would think Iowans would be able to handle snow since we're so used to it. Guess what…people drive in rain in the middle of summer as if it's pure ice. And I can't even get into how terrified they are to drive in snow – but yet they do it anyway.
Dec 19, 2012
BAN ALL GUNS NOW!!!!!!
Dec 19, 2012
I guess some folks didn't read this article completly. The Semi hit a patch of BLACK ICE.
Dec 19, 2012
I used to drive a Semi and hit a patch of black ice whle driving on a rainy day. Fortunately I was the only person injured but I totaled my rig. I had driven this hiway many times before in winter and never had a problem. And, if it were not for my seat belt, I would have been killed. Black Ice is an unseen hazzared and can be very dangerous. Even one of the responding officers spun out on the same patch of black ice when reporting to the accident scene. Black Ice has nothing to do with snow.
Dec 19, 2012
High capacity roadways should be banned.
Dec 19, 2012
Damn I'm Glad I wasnt on I-5 today, I hope these people are alright…Could have been worse I guess http://bit.ly/T7J0UE.
Dec 19, 2012
Ahh, the STUPIDITY of a Mid Western fool! Wonder why the mid west is full of incest?
Dec 19, 2012
Bob is why abortion is a GOOD idea.
Dec 19, 2012
So many comedians on the internet did not realize it geez.
Dec 19, 2012
John is a jackass
Dec 19, 2012
Jim Van good luck dude.
Dec 19, 2012
ban your stupidity right now jim van,please do not breed…
Dec 19, 2012
I have driven I-5 n/b and s/b hundreds of times and this picture is NOT near Hornbrook, Ca. Typical
FOX news. If the accident was really near Hornbrook and the lady had passed the truck she had to drive into Oregon to the next rest area because the last rest area in California is south of Hornbrook and is known as the Collier Rest Area. Dumb reporting
Dec 19, 2012
Idiot drivers never seem to slow down when there's evidence of road hazards: heavy blowing snow, blowing dust, smoke, and/or fog. No, these idiots have "gotta-get there" right now, and have no idea of what's up ahead. In the end, are the causes(s) of major inter-state pile-ups.
Dec 19, 2012
Blame Bush, he refused to sign the new highway bill that he was supposed to sign before he left office (with his tail between his legs).
Dec 20, 2012
I bet the 1st car to the last car to crash was within 10 seconds of each other.