Early on Thursday, a mishap on southbound I-5 near Camp Pendleton claimed the lives of three motorcycle riders, including two sailors from the United States Navy. The crash caused traffic delays for hours thereafter.
Just south of Las Pulgas Road, the collision was recorded about three in the morning. In the southbound lanes, a jeep veered, struck the guardrail, and became disabled.
The Jeep was then struck by a Mercedes van, which flipped, as stated by California Highway Patrol Officer Hunter Gerber. Four motorcycle riders then smashed into the vehicle as a result of this chain reaction collision.
According to Gerber, three of the four bikers passed away at the spot. The two riders were, according to an American Navy spokesman, sailors.
The van’s driver had potentially fatal injuries, so they were transported to the hospital. With serious injuries, one of the motorcycle riders was taken to the hospital.
Two individuals in the Mercedes van were transferred with moderate injuries, while two individuals in the Jeep suffered serious, maybe fatal injuries.
Update: SB I-5 at Las Pulgas Rd, right two lanes have reopened – left lanes remain closed. pic.twitter.com/ezCwoyc0d5
— Caltrans San Diego (@SDCaltrans) June 27, 2024
There was an ongoing inquiry regarding the collision. It was still unclear if the incident was caused by mechanical failure or alcohol.
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For a few hours in the early morning and during morning rush hour, all lanes of southbound I-5 were blocked. There was a detour for drivers at Las Pulgas Road.
“We came to a stop, sStuck in that area where you can’t go anywhere and you’re trapped and it ended up being a 5-hour commute, plus,” commuter Chris Herring stated. “There was people getting out of their car, parking their car. There were some people that were even going the opposite way on the shoulder.”
Two right lanes at Las Pulgas Road reopened around 11 a.m., but hours of traffic delays persisted. Traffic was still backed up through San Clemente about 2:00 p.m. Around 3:15 p.m., lanes were finally opened again.
