Huge pileups jam fog-bound California highways

November 25, 1995
Web posted at: 9:10 p.m. EST

OCEANSIDE, California (CNN) -- A series of interstate pileups in Southern California involving more than 130 vehicles was blamed on foggy conditions, speedy drivers, and in one case, good Samaritans.

At least 100 vehicles were involved in three separate, chain-reaction wrecks on Interstate 5 near Oceanside on Saturday. At least one person was killed and dozens were injured, according to California Highway Patrol spokesman Steve Kohler.

One of the chain reactions apparently began when drivers stopped to help a car that had left the road and rolled over.

Sgt. Dennis Martinez of the California Highway Patrol said heavy fog reduced visibility down to 20 feet along I-5.

"Basically, we had a lot of people traveling too fast for the conditions," Sgt. Martinez said.

There were also injuries reported from a pileup on the northbound lanes of I-805 in the La Jolla area of San Diego involving 30 to 50 cars, Kohler told CNN.

Both freeways were re-opened after being closed for hours.

A survivor of the Oceanside pileup said the collision happened suddenly.

"Out of nowhere, the cars just stopped and we had no place to go and then, all of a sudden, we heard the screeching behind us of brakes, and we braced for impact, and that was it," said Paulette Gallanis. (198K AIFF sound or 198K WAV sound) "It just smashed us. Luckily, the car took the impact really well, and we're okay."

A witness described chaos at the scene.

"People were running across the freeway trying to get out of their cars and out of the way of other vehicles," said motorist Oscar Mayo. (44K AIFF sound or 44K WAV sound) "As people were trying to maneuver to get out of the way, they were crashing into other people."

Huge pileups jam fog-bound California highways

| CONTENTS | SEARCH | CNN HOME PAGE | MAIN U.S. NEWS PAGE |