Thursday morning brought traffic chaos to Interstate 5 in Stanislaus County when two separate big rig crashes unfolded within 25 minutes, forcing the California Highway Patrol Modesto division to shut down critical lanes and leaving commuters scrambling for alternate routes.
The first incident hit northbound I-5 around 5:45 a.m. at the Sperry Avenue Diablo Grande Parkway off-ramp, where an overturned big rig blocked a travel lane. Photos shared by CHP Modesto showed the semi on its side—a stark visual of the impact. Before crews could even get a handle on that, another crash involving multiple big rigs was reported just 25 minutes later at Oak Flat Road, also on northbound lanes. This second collision showed severe damage to what appeared to be two semis, adding fuel to an already problematic situation.
In response, the California Highway Patrol Modesto division closed the right lane of northbound I-5 from Fink Road to Sperry Avenue while crews investigated both scenes. No estimated reopening time was provided, meaning this wasn’t a quick-clear situation. The lack of immediate clarity about what caused either crash left questions hanging—weather conditions, mechanical failure, driver fatigue, or something else entirely? Those details matter when you’re stuck in gridlock.
For anyone commuting through that corridor on Thursday, the message was simple: expect delays, find another route, or settle in for the long haul. The California Highway Patrol Modesto urged drivers to check real-time traffic conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly. This is exactly the kind of incident that can cascade through the region’s transportation network, affecting everything from delivery schedules to morning commutes.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
