A deadly multi-vehicle crash on Highway 99 near Lodi left one driver dead Wednesday afternoon and shut down the southbound freeway for nearly 10 hours, creating major traffic disruptions for motorists traveling through San Joaquin County.
The collision occurred shortly before 1 p.m. on southbound Highway 99 south of Jahant Road near Acampo, according to the California Highway Patrol. Four vehicles — two pickup trucks and two semi-trucks — were involved in the crash.
CHP officials said one driver, identified as a 23-year-old man, died in the collision. His identity had not been publicly released pending notification of his family. The three other drivers involved in the crash reportedly did not suffer injuries.
The crash caused significant disruption along the busy Central Valley highway. Authorities closed the southbound lanes while emergency crews responded, investigated the wreck and worked to clear damaged vehicles and debris from the roadway. Traffic backed up toward Galt as the closure remained in place.
A SigAlert was issued as officials warned motorists of extensive delays. Drivers were diverted from Highway 99 at Jahant Road while crews worked at the crash scene. (
The freeway eventually reopened at approximately 10:45 p.m., according to CBS Sacramento, after remaining closed for several hours. The extended closure affected commuters and commercial traffic traveling between the Sacramento and Stockton areas.
Authorities have not yet released a definitive explanation for what caused the four-vehicle collision. Investigators with the California Highway Patrol continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The deadly collision was one of several Highway 99 incidents reported in the region this week. A separate crash in Modesto early Wednesday morning resulted in the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle on northbound Highway 99 south of Carpenter Road.
For motorists, the incidents serve as another reminder of the risks associated with traveling on one of California’s major north-south routes, particularly around areas where heavy commercial trucks and passenger vehicles share the highway.
The investigation into the fatal Lodi-area crash remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as CHP investigators continue working to determine exactly how the collision occurred.
