A serious crash involving multiple semi-trucks shut down Interstate 5 near Coalinga on Thursday afternoon and left one person hospitalized after being ejected from their vehicle.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 4 p.m. near Jayne Avenue when a semi-truck struck another big rig and then collided with a third vehicle. One of the drivers involved was ejected during the impact and airlifted to a nearby hospital. Authorities have not released details about the victim’s condition, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Whenever I hear about a crash involving multiple semi-trucks, I think about the chain of responsibility that comes with operating such large and dangerous vehicles. In my experience, crashes like this often turn on questions about speed, following distance, driver attentiveness, and whether mechanical problems played a role in preventing drivers from avoiding a pileup.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Played a Role in This Chain-Reaction Crash?
Multi-truck crashes often occur during heavy traffic or sudden slowdowns. Distraction or fatigue are two of the leading reasons why commercial drivers fail to notice traffic slowing ahead or react in time to avoid crashing into other trucks.
In this case, where one semi-truck struck another and triggered additional collisions, investigators should closely examine the striking truck’s driver records, hours-of-service logs, and electronic logging device (ELD) data. Reviewing whether the driver had been operating for extended hours or was distracted in the moments before impact will be essential to understanding how this crash unfolded.
Could Mechanical Issues Have Prevented the Truck From Stopping in Time?
While driver awareness is a key concern, investigators should also consider whether the truck’s mechanical condition may have contributed to the crash. Worn or poorly maintained brakes, tire problems, or defective parts can significantly reduce a semi-truck’s ability to slow down or stop quickly, especially at highway speeds where reaction time is limited.
A thorough inspection of the semi-truck’s braking system, tires, and other critical components should be conducted to rule out any mechanical issues. Investigators should also review maintenance records to determine whether the truck had been properly serviced and whether defective parts may have compromised its performance.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed to Clarify the Crash Sequence?
To fully understand how this chain-reaction crash happened, investigators should collect Engine Control Module (ECM) data from all semi-trucks involved, which will provide insight into speed, throttle, and braking activity just before the collisions. Physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, vehicle resting positions, and debris, will also help reconstruct the crash dynamics. If dash cam footage is available, it could reveal how quickly the situation developed and whether evasive action was attempted.
Why Every Detail Matters in Multi-Truck Crashes
From my experience, crashes involving multiple semi-trucks are rarely the result of just one factor. They often reflect a combination of driver inattention and vehicle condition. Whether this collision resulted from distraction, fatigue, mechanical failure, or a combination of these, a thorough investigation is critical to determining what went wrong and why.