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.

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