Heavy fog was a factor in a fatal accident on I-5 in Stockton. (Photo: KCRA News)
Heavy fog was cited as a factor in a fatal accident early Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 in Stockton. A man who was pushing a disabled car was struck and killed by another vehicle.
• A man was pushing his disabled vehicle on the freeway in the heavy fog. There was no shoulder where he could pull over or walk to safety because of road construction.
• Another car came up from behind at freeway speed and did not see the man because of the heavy fog. That car slammed into the man and his vehicle.
• The man died immediately. Police said fog was a factor but didn’t yet know if the driver also was at fault.
The deadly freeway crash occurred at about 3:30 a.m., according to a KCRA News report.
California Highway Patrol officer Troy Rivers said the fog was so thick that visibility was limited to about 100 feet at the time.
“At freeway speed, that’s a blink of an eye,” Rivers said.
A motorist called the CHP to report that a man who appeared to be in his 20s was pushing a disabled Chevrolet Malibu on southbound I-5 near March Lane, ABC Channel 10 News reported. There are no shoulders on that part of the freeway due to construction on the road.
As police were responding, a Honda Accord traveling about 60 mph slammed into the man and his car from the rear. The driver said that he did not see the man because of the dense fog. When he did see the man, the driver swerved to try to avoid hitting him but it was too late.
The man who was pushing the car died at the scene. CHP officers found him underneath his vehicle. They said he likely died immediately on impact.
CHP investigators said fog was definitely a factor in the accident, but they had not yet determined whether the Accord driver was at least partially at fault.
The lack of shoulders on the freeway also added to the dangerous road conditions because there was no place the victim could have moved his car or himself away from traffic.
Driving in Fog
“The best advice for driving in the fog is DON’T,” warns the California Department of Motor Vehicles handbook. The dangers of extremely reduced visibility warrant postponing any unnecessary trips. If you must drive in fog, however, the DMV handbook offers these tips:
- Drive slowly.
- Use your low-beam headlights. High-beam headlights will reflect back and cause glare.
- Never drive with just your parking or fog lights.
- Increase your following distance and be prepared to stop within the space you can see ahead.
- Avoid crossing or passing lanes of traffic unless absolutely necessary.
- Listen for traffic you cannot see.
- Use your wipers and defroster as necessary for best vision.
If the fog becomes so thick that you can barely see, pull completely off the road. Turn off your lights and be sure to keep your foot off of the brake pedal or someone may see your taillights, think you are moving, and drive into your vehicle.
Stockton Freeway Accident Lawyers
The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.
