Two dead, nine hospitalized in 35-vehicle pile-up on California’s I-5: ‘Scariest accident of my life’

Two people died and at least nine were hospitalized Saturday following a horrific 35-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 5 in central California, authorities said.

The incident — which involved 17 vehicles and 18 big rigs — occurred on the highway’s southbound side in Bakersfield with fog believed to be the main cause, according to BakersfieldNow.com

Shocking images of the aftermath showed wrecked tractor-trailers, including one half tipped over on the side of the road, a white pickup truck accordioned between two rigs and smashed cargo boxes, with some of their contents spilling over the highway.

The crash involved 17 vehicles and 18 big rigs. KBAK/KBFX
Cargo boxes were destroyed as a result of the pile-up. KBAK/KBFX
Two people died and at least nine were hospitalized after the incident. KBAK/KBFX
The crash occurred on the highway’s southbound side in Bakersfield with fog believed to be the main cause. KBAK/KBFX

“I just witnessed the biggest, scariest accident of my life,” a motorist traveling on the northbound side of I-5 wrote on X.

Manny Garcia, a spokesperson for California Highway Police in Buttonwillow, said he expected the smashup to leave much of the highway closed for the rest of the day.

CHP said the accident is under investigation.