Dense Tule Fog Triggers Massive Highway 99 Pileup Involving Dozens of Vehicles
A chaotic chain-reaction crash involving nearly 60 vehicles forced a complete closure of Highway 99 in Tulare County on Saturday morning, emergency crews rushed to the scene near Earlimart shortly after 8:15 a.m. as visibility dropped to dangerous levels.
Central Valley History of Hazardous Winter Weather
The region faces a recurring weather threat known as tule fog, this dense ground cloud forms rapidly during late fall and winter months to create treacherous driving environments. Visibility often drops below 200 feet without warning, drivers frequently describe the condition as hitting a sudden white wall that obscures the road ahead. This specific stretch of highway witnessed a fatal 17-vehicle crash just weeks prior on January 12, the area remains prone to catastrophic multi-car collisions due to the flat geography that traps moisture near the ground. Tule fog represents a significant seasonal hazard for California agriculture and transportation, it historically leads to some of the deadliest pileups in the state.
First Responders Manage Widespread Wreckage and Injuries
California Highway Patrol officers arrived near Avenue 24 to find a sprawling scene of twisted metal across both northbound and southbound lanes, initial reports confirmed 59 vehicles sustained damage in the incident. Local sources indicate the total number of cars involved might exceed 100, heavy trucks and passenger vehicles collided after drivers could not see brake lights ahead in time to stop. The chain reaction began when visibility plummeted to roughly 150 feet, this left motorists with zero reaction time as they entered the fog bank at highway speeds.
Paramedics transported ten people to area hospitals for immediate treatment, one victim suffered a moderate head injury while others reported minor complaints or pain. Officials expressed relief that no fatalities occurred despite the sheer scale of the wreckage, rescue teams bused dozens of stranded passengers to the International Agri-Center for shelter and reunification. Authorities successfully cleared the debris and reopened all lanes by approximately 2:30 p.m., the investigation into the specific trigger of the crash continues.
Closure Disrupts Travel and Prompts Safety Alerts
The massive cleanup operation shut down the arterial highway for over six hours, Caltrans workers implemented detours at Cecil Avenue and Avenue 58 to reroute thousands of frustrated travelers. This disruption affects local commerce and shipping logistics, businesses in the Central Valley rely heavily on this corridor for moving goods between major cities. Safety officials continue to warn motorists about the dangers of high speeds, they advise using low beams and following lane markers rather than taillights to navigate dense fog safely.
Forecasters predict the stagnant air mass will remain in place for the immediate future, authorities urge extreme caution for anyone driving through the valley during early morning hours.
