Crash snarls traffic on Highway 99 in Merced County as big rig partially spills its haul

Editor’s note: An initial version incorrectly identified the crash as being on southbound Highway 99.

Update: According to the CHP, both northbound lanes have reopened to traffic.

Earlier story: An early-morning collision snarled traffic Sunday on northbound Highway 99 near Livingston in Merced County, the California Highway Patrol reported.

According to CHP Sgt. Danny Bowen, officers responded about 2:25 a.m. Sunday to an overturned big rig on northbound Highway 99 just south of Collier Road. Bowen said CHP officers and California Department of Transportation workers were on the scene.

The truck was hauling a trailer filled with about 40,000 pounds of frozen chicken, some of which spilled onto the roadway, according to Bowen.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Bowen said crews were expected to be on scene for at least two more hours as they worked to clear the scene.

Traffic continued to slowly move through the area, with vehicles pushed to the new wide shoulder.

“It’s moving right now but it’s narrowed down to one lane,” Bowen said.

This story was originally published November 21, 2021 at 9:54 AM.