Massive vehicle pileup in dense fog shuts down Golden State Highway

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A massive chain-reaction crash involving dozens of vehicles shut down both directions of Highway 99 in central California early Saturday as dense fog created dangerous driving conditions, officials said.

According to County of Tulare Fire, the collision stretched across the northbound and southbound lanes from Avenue 24 to the Kern County line, forcing the Golden State Highway to close completely.

County officials initially reported about 150 vehicles were estimated to be involved in the crash, but later updated that number to 59.

The crash occurred near Earlimart, where authorities warned motorists to avoid travel during heavy fog.

Photos released by county officials show crushed passenger vehicles wedged between semi-trucks, cars torn open by the force of impact and debris scattered across multiple lanes — illustrating the sheer scale of the pileup.

“During dense fog avoid travel and DO NOT rely on automatic headlights,” officials said. “Because it is not dark, headlights and tail lights are not illuminated and your vehicle is nearly impossible to see. Make sure to manually turn on your headlights so others have a chance to see you.”

Tulare County Fire said assistance was requested from Kern County Fire and Visalia City Fire, while California Highway Patrol officers remained on scene as emergency crews worked through the wreckage.

Authorities had not immediately released information about injuries or fatalities. Traffic remained at a standstill for hours as responders cleared damaged vehicles and assessed the scene.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes while crews worked to reopen the highway.

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What California law says after a car accident

Reporting requirements after a California collision

California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.

A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.

A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.

Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.

California filing deadlines for injury and death claims

In California, a lawsuit for personal injury caused by another person’s negligence generally must be filed within two years of the injury, under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. A claim for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect runs under the same two-year period.

Shorter deadlines apply in specific situations. If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim must normally be presented to that public entity within six months. Claims involving minors, injuries that are not discovered right away, and certain defendants can follow different timelines.

Which deadline applies depends on the facts of each situation, and the standard two-year period does not govern every claim.

Your Rights After a Car Accident in California

A collision like this one raises questions about fault, insurance and medical costs, usually before anyone has had time to think about them. These guides explain how California handles them.