Toyota totaled by driver who tried to ‘thread the needle’ between two semi trucks at 90 MPH

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a reckless driving incident that ended with a Toyota crashing off the freeway into a field.

On the afternoon of July 23, 2026, CHP responded to a report of a Toyota sedan driving recklessly in the Willows area.

The Toyota reportedly hit speeds of 90 m.p.h. “just before it attempted to thread the needle between two semi trucks.”

CHP said that the Toyota struck the rear of the truck in the slow lane while the motorist was attempting to merge into the fast lane.

The impact of this crash caused the Toyota to spin into the fast lane, where it was “crunched into the side of the other big rig.”

The collisions sent the Toyota off the freeway into a field.

Troopers said the Toyota driver was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The truck drivers were not hurt.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.

“Even when you are in a rush, resist the urge to drive at unsafe speeds in an attempt to get to your destination faster. As this driver learned, a totaled car and an ambulance ride to the hospital greatly increases the time of your trip,” said CHP.