3 killed on I-5 in CA as blowing dust causes pileup
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Strong winds kicked up dust Tuesday across Kern County as rain pounded parts of California.
Blowing dust that reduced visibility to less than a mile was blamed for an 11-vehicle pileup about 5:15 p.m. on Interstate 5 just north of Taft Highway. Three people were reportedly killed in that crash, which included four big rigs.
"I could not slow down in time, and before I knew it I crashed into the back of a big rig that had crashed into another vehicle," said one motorist from San Diego who did not want to give his name.
Two of the semitrucks and four passenger vehicles involved in the pileup caught fire.
Blowing dust hampered rescue efforts as southbound lanes were closed for more than eight hours.
"People seem to drive too fast in the fog and in these dust storms," said California Highway Patrol Lt. Doyle Green.
Earlier in the day, about three miles of Taft Highway between Elk Hills and Dustin Acres roads were closed for an hour because of low visibility.
Visibility in Bakersfield wasn't as bad, though it was reduced to two miles as dust-filled winds gusted to more than 40 mph.
Winds were even stronger in Kern's mountain communities, with gusts of 75 mph.
Wind advisories were issued for the southern San Joaquin Valley, and the Valley Air District sounded a health warning because of blowing dust.
"The really fine particles can go past your nose, into your lungs (and) into your bloodstream," said Brenda Turner of the Valley Air District. "It not only causes respiratory problems but can also aggravate those who have heart conditions (and) could maybe trigger a heart attack."
Scattered power outages affected thousands of customers in Bakersfield, Lamont and Taft, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
Here are some additional pictures of the I-5 pileup:
Here are some additional pictures of the dusty conditions Tuesday around Bakersfield:
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Blowing dust that reduced visibility to less than a mile was blamed for an 11-vehicle pileup about 5:15 p.m. on Interstate 5 just north of Taft Highway. Three people were reportedly killed in that crash, which included four big rigs.
"I could not slow down in time, and before I knew it I crashed into the back of a big rig that had crashed into another vehicle," said one motorist from San Diego who did not want to give his name.
Two of the semitrucks and four passenger vehicles involved in the pileup caught fire.
Blowing dust hampered rescue efforts as southbound lanes were closed for more than eight hours.
"People seem to drive too fast in the fog and in these dust storms," said California Highway Patrol Lt. Doyle Green.
Earlier in the day, about three miles of Taft Highway between Elk Hills and Dustin Acres roads were closed for an hour because of low visibility.
Visibility in Bakersfield wasn't as bad, though it was reduced to two miles as dust-filled winds gusted to more than 40 mph.
Winds were even stronger in Kern's mountain communities, with gusts of 75 mph.
Wind advisories were issued for the southern San Joaquin Valley, and the Valley Air District sounded a health warning because of blowing dust.
"The really fine particles can go past your nose, into your lungs (and) into your bloodstream," said Brenda Turner of the Valley Air District. "It not only causes respiratory problems but can also aggravate those who have heart conditions (and) could maybe trigger a heart attack."
Scattered power outages affected thousands of customers in Bakersfield, Lamont and Taft, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
Here are some additional pictures of the I-5 pileup:
Here are some additional pictures of the dusty conditions Tuesday around Bakersfield: