Multi-vehicle accident on southbound Interstate 5 halts traffic, sends nine to hospital
Traffic on Interstate 5 came to a standstill Thursday afternoon after a semi-truck traveling northbound jackknifed, broke through the center divider and crashed on the southbound side near the Camino De Estrella exit. Photo by Niko LaBarbera
By Jim Shilander and Andrea Papagianis
Traffic on Interstate 5 came to a standstill Thursday afternoon after a semi-truck traveling northbound jackknifed, broke through the center divider near the Camino de Estrella exit and crashed into oncoming traffic on the southbound side, California Highway Patrol officials confirmed.
At least eight vehicles were involved and nine people are reported injured, said Lynnette Round, spokeswoman for the Orange County Fire Authority.
A preliminary investigation indicates a northbound traveling tractor-trailer made an unsafe move to the left, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Jon Latosquin. The truck proceeded to crash through the center divider into southbound traffic lanes where the accident occurred between multiple vehicles, he said.
The freeway has been reopened after more than three hours.
Round confirmed all nine injured were transported to area hospitals. Four patients were taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, three to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana and one to Saddleback Memorial Center in San Clemente. One patient was airlifted to UCI Medical Center in Irvine due to trauma centers being full with accident patients, Round said.
The condition of the patients is unknown, as reports have turned in conflicting statuses.
OCFA officials received the call at 12:16 p.m., Round said. All but one southbound lane was closed for emergency crews, officials said. All lanes were closed after 1 p.m. for the helicopter, she said.
Traffic remains slow in the area, but all lanes north and southbound were reopened by 4 p.m.