I-5 reopens after deadly ‘chain reaction’ crash near Camp Pendleton

Amber Coakley
·2 min read
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OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Three people were killed and five others were injured in a fiery crash near Camp Pendleton Thursday morning, prompting authorities to shut down all lanes along a stretch of southbound I-5 for over seven hours.

The incident happened just before 3 a.m. in the area of the Las Pulgas exit. According to California Highway Patrol, the crash started when a Jeep driver went off the roadway and then popped back on before stalling on the freeway.

Described by authorities as a “chain reaction” crash, another vehicle and four motorcycles with some tandem riders then collided with the Jeep. At least one of the motorcycles caught on fire as a result of the collision.

A total of six vehicles were involved in the crash, according to authorities. There were no military vehicles involved in the crash, CHP confirmed.

Debris could be seen scattered across the roadway and a helicopter even arrived at the scene to transport victims. CHP has confirmed three fatalities in the crash, while five others were taken to local hospitals with various injuries. Their current conditions are not known at this time.

According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Navy, two of the three fatalities were active-duty sailors, although they did not have a connection to Camp Pendleton. Their identities, as well as the name of the other person killed in the crash, have not been disclosed by authorities.

FOX 5’s Shally Zomorodi was at the scene around 6:30 a.m., when a hard closure was in place for southbound travelers. Traffic was diverted back to the northbound I-5 for several hours.

In an update at 11 a.m., Caltrans said the right two southbound lanes of I-5 were reopened to traffic, while the left two remain closed. Both were reopened to motorists by 3:30 p.m.

“It was crazy. Four hours waiting,” one truck driver said of the traffic Thursday morning. “It was going, but real slow. Stops for like 20 minutes, then go.”

An investigation into the crash remains ongoing. At this time, it is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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