108 Vehicle pileup kills 2 in Tule fog on 99 Highway
On November 3, 2007, a 108-vehicle pileup occurred on Highway 99 south of Fresno, California, resulting in the death of two people and injuring 41 others. The incident took place on a foggy morning, and the first impact happened just before 8 a.m. in the northbound lanes just south of American Avenue. The pileup involved 108 vehicles, including cars and trucks, and was one of the worst pileups in central San Joaquin Valley history. The debris stretched southward toward Clovis Avenue from American Avenue for almost one mile.
The survivors recounted a terrifying silence punctuated by the sound of steel hitting steel. “Our firefighters could hear other crashes happening in the distance,” said Cal Fire/Fresno County Fire Capt. Mike Bowman. “It definitely affects the psyche of the firefighters”. By the time it was over, dozens of cars were “mangled and crushed”. The wreckage was so extensive that it looked like it was out of a movie.
The pileup was caused by dense fog along the highway, which reduced visibility and made it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead. At least nine big rigs were involved in the pileup on northbound Highway 99 just south of Fresno. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) blamed the fog for the massive pileup, which killed two people and injured dozens.
2 killed in Tule fog on Highway 99 south of Fresno California
A 61-year-old San Antonio resident was taken into custody by the CHP on charges of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. It seems like he was involved in an accident before this. However, investigators have not determined whether the man triggered the pileup or was just one small part of it. The man was treated at an area hospital and was to be taken to Fresno County Jail, the CHP said.
The pileup was one of the worst in central San Joaquin Valley history, and it highlights the importance of driving safely in foggy conditions. Drivers should slow down and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid accidents. It is also important to use headlights and fog lights when driving in foggy conditions.
In conclusion, the 108-vehicle pileup on Highway 99 south of Fresno, California, was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of two people and injured 41 others. The pileup was caused by dense fog along the highway, which reduced visibility and made it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead. The incident highlights the importance of driving safely in foggy conditions and taking necessary precautions to avoid accidents.
What Caused the Fatal 108 Vehicle Pileup in Tule Fog on Highway 99?
The pileup was caused by a combination of factors, including dense tule fog and a man suspected of driving while drunk.
How Many Fatalities Occurred in the 108 Vehicle Pileup on Highway 99? The pileup resulted in the death of two people.
What Measures Can Be Taken to Prevent Accidents in Tule Fog on Highway 99?
Driving in dense fog can be dangerous and requires extra caution. Here are some measures that can be taken to prevent accidents in tule fog on Highway 99:
- Slow down: Fog can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles on the road. Reducing one’s speed affords motorists additional time and space to respond to unforeseen circumstances on the road.
- Use headlights: Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility to other drivers. Avoid using high beams, as they can reflect off the fog and reduce visibility even further.
- Increase distance between vehicles: Fog can make it difficult to judge distances and speeds, leading to accidents. Keeping a greater gap between cars can allow drivers to respond more quickly to unforeseen circumstances.
- Avoid sudden stops: Sudden stops can cause other drivers to collide with your vehicle. Should you need to stop, make every effort to get as far off the road as you can and activate your hazard lights.
How Does Tule Fog Affect Visibility on Highway 99 in Fresno?
In the winter season in the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of California, tule fog which is a thick ground fog may occur. On Road 2 it can be difficult to see other cars, pedestrians, or obstructions due to visibility being reduced to less than a quarter of a mile by it. One of the contributing factors to the 108-vehicle pileup was the thick tule fog.
What Are the Dangers of Driving in Dense Fog on Highway 99?
Driving in dense fog can be dangerous and requires extra caution. Here are some of the dangers of driving in dense fog on Highway 99:
- Reduced visibility: Fog can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles on the road.
- Misjudging distances and speeds: Fog can make it difficult to judge distances and speeds, leading to accidents.
- Increased risk of collisions: Reduced visibility and misjudging distances and speeds can increase the risk of collisions.
- Increased risk of pileups: In dense fog, drivers may not be able to see a pileup until it is too late to avoid it.
In the winter season, the San Joaquin Valley and various parts of California are blanketed by a thick, ground-hugging fog known as tule fog. This fog possesses an insurmountable density that can prove quite challenging for individuals on the road. The reduced visibility caused by this fog makes it arduous to discern other vehicles, and pedestrians, as well as any obstacles that may obstruct the path ahead. Illumination is limited to a mere quarter-mile or less, intensifying the difficulty faced by motorists.
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