Three Killed, Seven Injured in Interstate 5 Crash Near Woodland
YOLO COUNTY - Three people were killed Monday afternoon in a chain-reaction wreck on southbound Interstate 5, the Sacramento Bee and multiple other news outlets reported. The triple fatal accident was reported just north of County Road 102 just before 12:45 p.m. on August 8, 2011. Two sport utility vehicles, a jeep, a small four-door passenger car and a tractor-trailer big-rig all went up in flames.
According to the Sacramento Bee, two adults in one of the SUVs died, as well as a child riding in the passenger car. Witnesses reportedly tried to retrieve the child rrom the car, but were pushed back by flames. Seven other people were taken to local hospitals, UC Davis Medical Center (Sacramento), Kaiser Permanente and Mercy San Juan Medical Center (Carmichael). Injuries reportedly ranged from moderate to severe.
News 10 reported that the crash began when traffic was beginning to merge into the left lane to accommodate an upcoming construction zone. A small car, reportedly possibly an Acura, was pushed into the center divider and became engulfed in flames. A Jeep Wrangler was then struck and pushed into the flames. It is unclear who two other vehicles and a larger truck became involved. The tractor-trailer ended up on its side.
Chain Reaction Crash Liability
This accident will surely be a complex and lengthy investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Multi-vehicle accidents, especially collisions involving commercial trucks, have unique liability issues. While this accident remains under investigation, the injured victims and family members of those who lost their lives would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable northern California truck accident lawyer. Attorneys who have successfully handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from truck accidents such as this one can help the victims begin protecting their rights immediately. Damages obtained in a truck accident personal injury claim may include compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering, or the wrongful death of a loved one.
Time is Of the Essence
Following an accident, valuable evidence, such as road debris, skid marks, and wrecked and burned vehicles are often quickly destroyed. To preserve the evidence necessary to demonstrate exactly what happened, and who was responsible, accident victims and their family members are urged to speak to an attorney as soon as possible, so that evidence can be preserved, inspected and photographed. A skilled California personal injury lawyer can arrange for an independent investigator to speak with witnesses, review accident reports, and reconstruct the scene of the accident and evaluate exactly what happened.
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A man tragically died Sunday night at UC Davis Medical Center after he was hit by a car while attempting to cross East Street, the Daily Democrat reported. The pedestrian, who was only described as a man in his 50's, was hit by a white Chevy Cavalier heading southbound on East Street in the far west lane, between 30 and 40 mph. The driver, who was also not named, remained at the scene of the crash and was interviewed and released. The Daily Democrat reported that both the front and rear windshields of the Chevy Cavalier were shattered in the Yolo County pedestrian accident. 
