Two vehicle pileups occurred on Friday, leaving two injuries and wreckage that spanned the heavy traffic across Interstate 5 in southwestern Fresno County. One of the wrecks involved 7 cars, and two of them weer treated for leg injuries because their pickup became trapped under a big rig. “People looked pretty shaken up,” said Carlos Solorio, a Huron-based tow truck driver who went to the scene. “It looked pretty bad when the fog was covering it completely.” Visibility was down to 300 feet when the crashes happened. “It was a mess when we first got out there,” said CHP Officer Steven Schuh. “I was surprised there weren’t any more injuries. There were a lot of near misses.” The 7 vehicle wreck was quickly followed by a 5 vehicle wreck about a quarter mile north. A big rig overturned, blocking traffic for many hours, said news reports.
The “Tule fog” is infamous for leaving behind traffic problems throughout Central California during the late fall and winter. An 86-car pileup in 2007 left two people dead along Highway 99, and about a decade ago, a 74-vehicle crash also killed two travelers. As a San Francisco personal injury lawyer, I hope drivers stay extra cautious during foggy situations and avoid driving during these conditions. If you or a loved one are harmed by someone driving recklessly, a San Francisco car accident lawyer can help assess your case.
