Major Injuries Reported In Chain Reaction Accident On Interstate 10

The California Highway Patrol reported as many as eight cars were involved in a “chain reaction” accident, Monday afternoon, on Interstate 10, just west of Haugen-Lehman.

The accident happened around 2:45 p.m. on the westbound side of the interstate in Whitewater.

Witnesses tell the CHP at least two cars rolled over on the freeway, leaving debris on the westbound and eastbound sides, blocking traffic in both directions.

Eastbound lanes re-opened at 4:11 p.m., according to the CHP.

The driver of a vehicle lost control, causing the car to go over the center divider and into opposing lanes, California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Beauchene said.

“A vehicle went from one side to the other,” Beauchene told City News Service.

According to the CHP’s website, one motorist told an officer he may have started the crash when he honked at a driver who cut him off, causing the other motorist to swerve and lose control.

Whatever the cause, the initial crash sparked a chain reaction that caused up to eight vehicles to collide on both sides of the interstate, Hagemann said.

Cal Fire said at least six patients will require treatment, one of whom had to be extricated from the vehicle’s wreckage.