On Jan. 31, a 59-vehicle pileup occurred on State Route 99 near Avenue 24, roughly 40 miles north of Bakersfield. At least 10 people were hospitalized with minor to moderate injuries; no deaths were reported. CHP investigators say dense fog, reducing visibility to about 100–200 feet, likely caused the chain-reaction crash. Both directions of the highway were closed from Avenue 24 to the Kern County line while crews cleared the scene and investigators worked.
Massive 59-Vehicle Pileup on California State Route 99 Injures At Least 10; Fog Cited
Vehicles that crashed on California’s State Route 99 on Jan. 31, 2026California Highway Patrol
Nearly 60 vehicles were involved in a large multi-vehicle collision on California's State Route 99 on Saturday, Jan. 31, leaving at least 10 people injured and closing the highway in both directions.
Vehicles that crashed on California’s State Route 99 on Jan. 31, 2026California Highway Patrol
What Happened
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers responded to calls beginning around 8:15 a.m. after a chain-reaction crash near Avenue 24, about 40 miles north of Bakersfield. CHP investigators say 59 vehicles collided across both northbound and southbound lanes. At least 10 people were taken to local hospitals with injuries described as minor to moderate; no fatalities were reported.
Vehicles that crashed on California’s State Route 99 on Jan. 31, 2026California Highway Patrol
Scene and Damage
Photographs from the scene show heavily damaged passenger cars alongside tractor-trailers, debris strewn across the roadway, and several vehicles that breached the concrete median separating directions of traffic. Many motorists were stranded in long backups while emergency crews worked to secure the scene and tend to the injured.
Vehicles that crashed on California’s State Route 99 on Jan. 31, 2026California Highway Patrol
Cause and Conditions
CHP investigators believe dense morning fog was a contributing factor, estimating visibility at roughly 100 to 200 feet at the time of the crash. The low visibility likely played a central role in the chain-reaction collisions.
"Drivers: Slow down, increase your following distance, and remain alert—especially in low-visibility or congested conditions. Your patience helps keep everyone safe and allows first responders to do their job," the CHP wrote in a public advisory.
Traffic Impact and Response
Both directions of Highway 99 were closed from Avenue 24 to the Kern County line while crews cleared wreckage and investigators documented vehicle positions and damage. Some people involved in the crash were transported by bus to the International Agri-Center in Tulare. Detour routes were put in place as officials worked to reopen the highway.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities continue to reconstruct how the pileup unfolded and to assess the full extent of damage and injuries.
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