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Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

Chain reaction crash on Highway 99 injures 2 people

Livingston driver didn't see traffic had slowed in front of him, CHP reports.

Two people received minor injuries Tuesday in a five-car pileup on northbound Highway 99, near Winton Parkway, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The crash was reported around 11 a.m., after an 84-year-old Livingston man was driving a 2005 Chevy pickup in the northbound fast lane at 55 mph.

The driver failed to see traffic slowing in front of him, and tried swerving to the left to avoid a crash, according to CHP spokesman Shane Ferriera.

The Chevy hit the left rear portion of a Ford Ranger, and swerved into the grassy median. The driver of the Chevy lost control of the vehicle, swerved back into the fast lane, and sideswiped a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The Chevy then struck the rear of a Honda Pilot which had stopped in the fast lane.

The impact of the crash pushed the Honda Pilot into the slow lane, hitting a big rig.

The two occupants of the Honda Pilot were treated for minor injuries, and traffic was backed up for 45 minutes.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.