The California Highway Patrol is looking for answers after a truck hit 8 cars on I-80 at Highway 50 in Sacramento yesterday, shutting down traffic for 4 hours. One person was severely injured, but is expected to survive with broken bones.
The CHPsaid that the accident occurred around 10:30 a.m when San Francisco-based driver Christopher Ayala “plowed” through 8 cars before hitting a tree and coming to a stop. Investigators say that crashing into the tree kept the truck from continuing into oncoming traffic on eastbound Highway 50.
There are conflicting reports about the cause of the accident. Some witnesses say that Ayala failed to slow for merging traffic, but others say that traffic was not slowing. One report called the accident a “hit and run”, claiming that Ayala left the scene of the accident, while other witnesses saw the driver speaking to the CHP. Authorities have speculated that mechanical failure may be to blame, but they say that Ayala was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When asked whether Ayala was texting, the CHP told reporters, “I could not even begin to address anything like that at this point.”
No arrests have been made.
Other injuries associated with the crash were minor. The truck driver appeared to be unhurt.
Sources:
CBS Sacramento
KCRA
News 10