Highway 99 Reopens After 59-Vehicle Pileup in Tulare County
A massive collision involving 59 vehicles forced the complete closure of Highway 99 in Tulare County on Saturday morning, but the roadway has since fully reopened. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed the scale of the incident, which occured near Avenue 24, impacting both northbound and southbound lanes.
The initial reports of the crash reached the CHP shortly after 8:15 a.m. on Saturday. Authorities initially responded to conflicting information regarding the number of vehicles involved, with a now-corrected Facebook post from the County of Tulare estimating as many as 150 cars and trucks were part of the pileup. CHP officers have as clarified that the actual number of vehicles directly involved in the crash was 59.
A screenshot of the County of Tulare’s Facebook post incorrectly estimating the number of vehicles involved in the Highway 99 pileup on Saturday,Jan. 31, 2026, has been archived for review.
Describing the scene, one CHP officer stated, “…The carnage out there. Vehicles turned over and up on each other, under each other…” The rapid escalation of the incident is striking; authorities report that all traffic came to a standstill within just 11 minutes.
The aftermath presented meaningful logistical challenges. “We had vehicle debris. We had vehicle fluid.We had involved parties that are on both shoulders, waiting for rides to get off,” explained the officer.
Ten individuals required hospitalization consequently of the crash. Fortunately, nine sustained only minor injuries, while one person suffered a moderate injury to their forehead. All other individuals involved were transported to the Tulare Ag Center.
Fog Identified as Key Factor in Highway 99 Crash
Investigators are focusing on dense fog as a primary contributing factor to the incident, estimating visibility was reduced
