Nine people were hospitalized after a 43-vehicle pile-up on eastbound State Route 58 near Bakersfield on Jan. 27, authorities said. Witnesses reported "extremely dense" fog with visibility around 50 to 60 feet, and weather is believed to have been a major factor. CHP, Kern County Fire, Hall Ambulance and the MAIT responded; lanes remained closed into the evening while investigators worked the scene. No fatalities were reported and the investigation is ongoing.
Nine Hospitalized After 43-Vehicle Pile-Up in Dense Fog on California Highway
Emergency responders at the scene of the crash on the Central Valley highway in California on Jan. 27, 2026California Highway Patrol
Nine people were taken to hospitals after a chain-reaction crash involving 43 vehicles on eastbound State Route 58 near Bakersfield, California, authorities said.
What Happened
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported the multi-vehicle collision occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at about 8:07 a.m. east of Tower Line Road. Witnesses and responding officers described "extremely dense" fog at the scene, with visibility estimated at roughly 50 to 60 feet. Weather conditions are believed to have been a primary contributing factor.
The crash on a Central Valley highway in California on Jan. 27, 2026California Highway Patrol
Hall Ambulance crews transported nine people to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to major, the CHP said. Officials confirmed there were no fatalities.
Response And Investigation
CHP-Bakersfield units, Kern County Fire Department personnel, and emergency medical services responded to what the CHP characterized as a mass-casualty/trauma incident. The CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) also assisted at the scene. Photos released by the CHP showed multiple passenger vehicles and commercial trucks involved, with personal belongings scattered along the highway shoulders.
The pileup on the Central Valley highway in California on Jan. 27, 2026California Highway Patrol
Traffic lanes on eastbound SR-58 remained closed into the evening while investigators worked to document the scene and determine the sequence of events. The CHP said the investigation is ongoing.
Safety Advice From Authorities: Slow down, increase following distance, use your low beams in fog, avoid sudden stops or lane changes, and delay travel if conditions are hazardous.
Context
The Jan. 27 pile-up follows another major multi-vehicle crash on Jan. 11 on State Route 99 near Fresno that left one person dead and at least 20 injured. CHP-Fresno attributed that earlier collision to dense fog and warned that unsafe speeds for conditions can quickly turn routine trips into life-changing tragedies.
Practical Tips For Driving In Fog
- Reduce speed and use low-beam headlights.
- Increase the distance to the vehicle ahead and avoid sudden maneuvers.
- Use road markings to guide you if visibility is poor.
- If visibility becomes unsafe, pull completely off the road and wait for conditions to improve.
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