Violent 59-Vehicle Collision Injures at Least 10 People and Shuts Down Highway

Nearly 60 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on California’s Highway 99 over the weekend, and investigators believe thick fog that worsened drivers’ visibility is to blame.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that its officers were called to State Route 99 near Avenue 24 — located about 40 miles north of Bakersfield — after 59 vehicles collided in both the northbound and southbound lanes.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that several calls about the incident came in at around 8:15 a.m., and at least 10 people were taken to the hospital for their injuries, which CHP described as “minor to moderate.”

No deaths were reported, per Bakersfield Now. Other people involved in the crash were transported by bus to the International Agri-Center in Tulare, ABC7 added.

Images from the scene show damaged cars stopped next to tractor trailers. Several cars were completely wrecked, with parts visibly strewn along the road as hundreds of vehicles were seemingly stuck in traffic near the collision site.

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The violent crash also caused several cars and trucks to break through the concrete wall that divides the northbound and southbound lanes, photos show.

Tulare County officials initially estimated that 150 vehicles were involved in the crash in a post shared to Facebook earlier on Saturday, but CHP disputed that number, saying there were 59 vehicles involved in the pileup.

CHP investigators told ABC7 that they believe fog was a factor in the collision. They estimated that there was about 100 to 200 feet of visibility at the time of the chain-reaction crash.

Both sides of the highway are expected to remain closed well into the evening as the investigation continues.

In its Facebook post, the CHP urged drivers to take precautions during foggy weather by slowing down and remaining alert.

“Drivers: Slow down, increase your following distance, and remain alert—especially in low-visibility or congested conditions,” the agency wrote. “Your patience helps keep everyone safe and allows first responders to do their job.”

Highway 99 is still closed in both directions from Avenue 24 to the Kern County line, according to the Tulare County Fire Department, and detour routes have been put in place.