Two people were declared dead at the scene after being involved in a deadly automobile crash along Highway 59 in Merced County. According to California Highway Patrol, fog was likely a contributing factor to the four separate accidents which involved a total of 16 cars on Saturday morning on Highway 59.
Police and EMTs were busy at the scene of one of the incidents near Merced where a truck carrying milk was hit by a Dodge Ram, causing a massive chain reaction. CHP representative Moises Onsurez explained, “A Chevrolet van that was following the Tahoe was crashed into the Dodge Ram.”
Inside the Dodge Ram were two men, one aged 47 and the other 35 years old. Both of these men died at the scene. Authorities say there was approximately 50 feet of visibility due to heavy fog. Hazardous weather conditions are also being considered a factor in the three other car accidents that involved a total of 16 cars.
Karin Ashlock, a previous school bus driver states, “When it comes out heavy, it’s nasty. You better slow down or you’re in trouble.” Ms. Ashlock also stated there were times when she had trouble deciding whether it was safe or not to drive her bus when the fog was so dense.
