Nearly 60 vehicles were involved in a massive chain-reaction pileup on California’s Highway 99 over the weekend, and investigators say thick fog that sharply reduced visibility likely played a major role.
On Saturday, Jan. 31, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said officers responded to State Route 99 near Avenue 24 — about 40 miles north of Bakersfield — after 59 vehicles collided across both northbound and southbound lanes.
ABC7 Los Angeles reported that calls began coming in around 8:15 a.m. At least 10 people were taken to the hospital with injuries CHP described as minor to moderate.
No deaths were reported, according to Bakersfield Now. ABC7 added that others involved in the crash were transported by bus to the International Agri-Center in Tulare.
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Photos from the scene showed heavily damaged vehicles stopped alongside tractor-trailers, with debris scattered across the roadway. The impact was severe enough that several cars and trucks broke through the concrete divider separating the northbound and southbound lanes.
Tulare County officials initially estimated that 150 vehicles were involved in a post shared to Facebook earlier Saturday. CHP later disputed that figure, saying investigators confirmed 59 vehicles in the pileup.
CHP investigators told ABC7 they believe fog contributed to the crash, estimating visibility at the time was only about 100 to 200 feet.
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Both sides of Highway 99 were expected to remain closed well into the evening as the investigation continued. In a Facebook post, CHP urged drivers to take extra precautions in foggy conditions.
“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 remained closed in both directions from Avenue 24 to the Kern County line, according to the Tulare County Fire Department, and detour routes were put in place.
