Snow and Ice Snarls Traffic on Christmas on the 15 Freeway
When people think of sunny southern California, they are not thinking of the more mountainous areas of the region. But the mountains can get snow and ice, and that was vividly illustrated by a 40-vehicle pile-up caused by ice and snow in the Cajon pass on Christmas Day.
Snow and ice make the roads treacherous
Apparently, a single vehicle spun out on the 15 Freeway near Hesperia at roughly 6:35 a.m. on December 25, according to information from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Shortly thereafter, there was a chain reaction that ultimately caught up roughly 40 cars, trucks, and big rigs on the northbound 15 south of Oak Hill Road.
Snow and ice made the roads treacherous and difficult to navigate, according to drivers who were on the scene. Many took videos of the pileup.
The CHP indicated that 9 people had suffered moderate injuries and were taken to 3 separate area hospitals.
The 15 Freeway was shut down for about 3 hours. It had reopened by 10 a.m.
A winter weather advisory was in effect for the following day for the mountain systems of both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
An Experienced Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
As the past month has shown, weather can cause car accidents. Wind gusts, torrential rains, fire, snow, and ice have all battered the Los Angeles area recently. While these conditions can cause injuries and loss of all kinds, it shouldn’t be overlooked that they can cause car accidents that could result in injury and death. Panic and driving in unfamiliar conditions can contribute to the accident.
We have two decades experience in investigating and litigating car accidents in Southern California. If you want to discuss your accident, call the car crash attorneys at Ellis Injury Law at 310-641-3335 today.
All initial consultations are free.
Additional Resources:
- “Dozens of Vehicles Involved In Pileup on Icy 15 Freeway Near Cajon Pass.” CBS Los Angeles. December 25, 2018. https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/12/25/chain-reaction-wreck-15-freeway-cajon-pass/.
- Licas, Eric. “Multi-vehicle crash along icy Cajon pass snarls traffic in Hesperia.” The Press-Enterprise. December 25, 2018. https://www.pe.com/2018/12/25/multi-vehicle-crash-along-icy-cajon-pass-snarls-motorists-in-hesperia/.