Central Valley: Highway 99 Reopens Following 59-Vehicle Pileup
A significant vehicle pileup occurred on Highway 99, leading to a temporary closure of a three-mile section in Tulare County. The incident took place around 8 a.m. on Saturday during dense fog conditions.
Details of the Highway 99 Pileup
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that 59 vehicles were involved in the crash. The highway was closed for over five hours, only reopening in the mid-afternoon.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Several individuals sustained mild to moderate injuries, with some transported to local hospitals for treatment. CHP Visalia provided updates on the situation as they received multiple calls, starting at 8:17 a.m., about collisions on both the north and southbound lanes.
- Location: Highway 99, Tulare County
- Time of Incident: Around 8 a.m.
- Number of Vehicles: 59
- Injury Severity: Mild to moderate
- Closure Duration: Over five hours
Weather Conditions
Dense fog was reported in the area, leading the County of Tulare to advise against traveling during such conditions. They emphasized that reliance on automatic headlights during foggy weather can be dangerous.
The National Weather Service had issued a fog advisory for the San Joaquin Valley, impacting sections of Highway 99. This weather pattern diverges from ongoing severe winter storms affecting eastern parts of the United States.
