GORMAN, California—Authorities say several crashes involving about 50 vehicles on Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles have sent 12 people to the hospital.
The Grapevine section of the interstate was closed as emergency crews responded to the accidents Saturday afternoon, March 23.
4 injured, 30 cars involved in pileups on California highway https://t.co/jXBMHlNtgs pic.twitter.com/bPnEWGC1TB
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) March 24, 2019
The California Highway Patrol’s traffic incident website said the accidents occurred amid thick fog.
Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Ron Haralson said a dozen people were transported to the hospital. One was in critical condition, four others sustained minor injuries and seven more had minor injuries. The injured included a 21-month-old child and a horse in trailer that was rear-ended.
4 injured, 30 cars involved in pileups on California highway https://t.co/y6xydLYNq3 pic.twitter.com/6kcIAZeKVZ
— Newz Parot (@NewzParot) March 24, 2019
The Grapevine carries traffic over mountains between greater Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley. The wrecks caused traffic on northbound and southbound lanes to back up for miles.
Milpitas woman killed in crash on Highway 101 in Avila Beach https://t.co/3NAVzZCOdA via @mercnews #California pic.twitter.com/V4WruwKkpW
— @livemapus (@livemapus) March 19, 2019
On Feb. 25 in southern Ontario, a similar accident happened on a major highway.
Local fire officials say several people with minor injuries have been treated after a crash on Highway 400 near Barrie, Ont., which they say involved between 50 and 70 vehicles.
Multi vehicle pile up on #Hwy400 SB south of Mapleview #Barrie #PileUp #WinterStorm #WhiteOut pic.twitter.com/LYR8H9mlFt
— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) February 25, 2019
Barrie Fire Public Information Officer, Samantha Hoffman says the collision occurred around 10 a.m. on the southbound lanes of the highway.
Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says there is zero visibility in the area with heavy snow and blowing snow causing problems.
Multi vehicle pile up on #Hwy400 SB south of Mapleview #Barrie #PileUp #WinterStorm #WhiteOut https://t.co/BmEs3gPcaq
— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) February 25, 2019
Schmidt had posted several videos of the scene online that show dozens of vehicles smashed together, including several transport trucks and one fuel tanker, with numerous cars also in the ditch.
Schmidt said there are upwards of 30 vehicles involved in the crash.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
