Interstate 80 Closed after Deadly Crash in Davis

Fatal Accident Shuts Down Interstate 80

In the early morning hours of Thursday, December 2, 2021, one person was killed and at least three others were injured in a crash that occurred alongside Interstate 80 (I-80) in Davis, California.

Details of the Deadly Interstate 80 Crash

Reports of the crash came in shortly after 4:40 a.m. The crash site was near the eastbound side of I-80 near the offramp for Richards Boulevard. 

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Witnesses report that there was thick fog in the area. According to investigators with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a sedan crashed into the center divider for unknown reasons. After impact, the sedan came to rest, blocking the roadway. Two other chain reaction crashes followed – the sedan was struck by a pickup truck and a box truck, though it has not yet been determined which of the trucks hit the car first. 

Authorities released information that a one-year-old child had been riding in the sedan and, at some point during the sequence of collisions, was ejected from the vehicle. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other occupants of the sedan were transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of major traumatic injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was also reportedly injured.  There has been no update as to the condition of the injured parties. 

Watch the YouTube video. The news clip below, posted by KCRA, reports on the tragic accident.

SigAlert Issued for Extended Highway Closure

Debris from the impact was scattered across the interstate. All lanes of eastbound I-80 in the vicinity of the crash were closed by the CHP for investigation of the accident. Authorities issued a SigAlert because the highway would be closed for an extended period of time. Morning commuters have been diverted to northbound Highway 113.

Driving in Fog

Sacramento and surrounding areas have been experiencing significant morning fog. While fog may or may not have played a role in Thursday morning’s tragedy, driving in foggy conditions, especially when it is dark, can be extremely dangerous. Depending on the density of the fog, a driver can lose nearly all visibility, which can be terrifying. If the fog is extremely thick, the safest move is to pull over to an area well away from vehicle traffic and wait it out. Otherwise, when driving in foggy conditions, below are some safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Reduce speed. Driving slowly will help you react if an unseen obstacle appears in front of your vehicle.
  • Drive with your window open. This will heighten your sense of hearing and may alert you to other cars or emergency vehicles.
  • Look at the road reflectors. Reflective road markings can be used as a guide to help you stay on course.
  • Disable cruise control. You want maximum control of your vehicle.
  • Use your defrosters and windshield wipers. Reduce moisture on the windshield to reduce the glare.
  • Drive with fog lights/low beams. High beam headlights can reflect off of the fog and worsen your visibility.
  • Increase following distance. Keeping a two-second distance between your vehicle and the one you are following is considered safe in normal conditions, but when driving in the fog, you should increase that to at least five seconds.
  • Minimize distractions. Do not look at your phone, tune the radio, or do anything other than keep your eyes on the road.

Wrongful Death Attorneys in Davis

The legal team at AutoAccident is saddened to report on this terrible tragedy. I’m Ed Smith, a Davis wrongful death attorney. The loss of a loved one in a car accident is devastating for the family that is left behind. Our compassionate injury attorneys can answer your questions if you find yourself having to deal with the unimaginable. Call us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free and friendly advice.

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Photo by Andres Uran via Unsplash

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