Last Thursday morning, a seven-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Lodi, California, resulted in two deaths and closed all the northbound lanes for five hours while cleanup took place. Authorities have ruled out drugs or alcohol as a factor while continuing to investigate the accident. While there have been no official determination as to the cause, witnesses to the accident speaking in an unofficial capacity cite inattention and excess speed as possible contributing factors.
Traffic had slowed as a result of a separate accident involving a sedan and a big rig that required law enforcement to close one lane of the interstate. A second chain-reaction crash occurred when a second semitrailer reportedly going 55 miles per hour struck several stopped cars.
The 50-year-old male driver of a Hyundai sedan died when the force of the impact sent the big rig over top of his vehicle, igniting a fire in the process. Altogether, the collision involved three sedans and four big rigs, though the total number of vehicle occupants involved in the crash remains unclear.
A 36-year-old male became the second fatality in the crash. The only person known to have required hospitalization is a woman of unspecified age, whose injuries were reportedly minor. A woman from Arizona drove the big rig that struck the other vehicles. Her condition is unknown, nor is it known whether she will face criminal charges.
A hazardous condition resulting from one crash can sometimes lead to another, more serious accident, affecting many lives in the process. Those injured in collisions with larger vehicles may find it worthwhile to contact an attorney.
