Tragedy struck early Thursday morning as a multi-vehicle collision involving two vehicles and four motorcycles left three dead and five injured on southbound Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton. The collision not only claimed lives but has resulted in significant traffic disruption, with the entire southbound side of the freeway closed to traffic, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
California Highway Patrol Officer Hunter Gerber detailed that the incidents began when a Jeep Wrangler veered off the freeway, colliding with a guardrail and re-entering the southbound lanes, where it was subsequently hit by a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, which overturned. Four motorcyclists riding in a group subsequently collided with the already-crashed vehicles. The pile-up has caused considerable delays, and northbound traffic is also affected, with congestion stretching into Oceanside and Carlsbad.
Additional information from an Instagram post made by the CHP Oceanside has advised motorists to avoid the area of I-5 southbound, south of Las Pulgas Road, and to seek alternate routes where possible. The early morning closure results from investigation efforts following the 6-vehicle fatal crash.
