Big Rig Crashes into Three Cars on Highway 99

October 17, 2011- a Modesto crash involving a big rig and three other cars stalled traffic for several hours on Highway 99, Monday morning.

At approximately 8:30 AM southbound traffic exiting onto the Briggsmore-Carpenter off ramp came to a stop in the slow lane of the highway north of the overpass.

The driver of a semi truck, Rohit Chandowailia of Stockton, was driving south on the freeway when he braked to avoid the stopped traffic, but his truck jackknifed.

The cab of the semi swung across the slow lane knocking three cars off the road, over an embankment. The big rig hit a Mazda 3, driven by Byron Aranda of Manteca. The it crashed into a 2009 Toyota Prius, driven by Norma Reed of Alamo. Lastly it collided with a Ford Ranger, driven by Adolfo Lopez of Salida before also veering over the embankment.

The big rig and the other three vehicles came to rest along a chain link fence that separates the freeway from the railroad tracks.

Lopez was the only one hurt in the crash. He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his minor injuries.

It is reported that traffic was backed up, because of the accident, all the way to Manteca. The slow lane of the highway was shut down until 12:15 PM.

The CHP said that drugs and alcohol are not contributing factors in the crash. The cause remains under investigation.

I am a personal injury lawyer serving the central valley. With an accident this size the CHP report may not be ready for weeks--please let us get started to measure skids, download air bag data and prove liability. If you were injured in this accident please call tomorrow morning. I practice in Visalia which is within miles of the scene of this accident. We are currently suing a trucking company over a big rig fog accident at I-5 and Highway 119 and another suit involves Highway 41 at Floral. Attorney John Rozier 559-713-0159.