Man killed in multi-vehicle crash during foggy morning in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- One man is dead after a multi-vehicle crash involving big rigs during a foggy morning in Madera County.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to the crash at the intersection of Highway 152 and Road 9 just before 6 a.m. Thursday.

The thick fog made it difficult for drivers to see in front of them.

Investigators say a big rig traveling south on Road 9 tried to cross the intersection at Highway 152 when an oncoming car hit its trailer, knocking off its haul of tree stakes. Arturo Carrillo was the driver carrying the tree stakes.

"I was crossing over and I almost made it over when someone was coming this way," said Carrillo, "I guess I would be going west on 152, and it got me."

The stakes in the roadway then created a hazard for other drivers at a time when visibility was very low due to fog.

"I couldn't even see like 20 feet in front of me, at least 40 feet," said Carrillo.

One car hit the stakes and drove off the shoulder of the road. Another big rig drove into the far left lane to avoid the stakes but ended up colliding with an SUV.

"Just hearing all the sounds," said Carrillo, "just hearing like four, five cars. It was scary."

A Madera man in his 30s who was driving the SUV died at the scene The CHP says one other driver involved in the crash suffered minor injuries.

"They need to stop and wait until traffic is cleared before they proceed," said officer Javiero Ruvalcava.

Kais Nakkoud owns the Valero gas station off the 152. He told ABC30 one of his workers was in that six car crash and was shaken up.

Nakkoud said crashes during foggy weather on 152 are nothing new.

"In the morning probably until 9 o'clock its very hard to drive on the 152 or across the way from it," said Nakkoud.

The CHP also responded to several more crashes after that incident. Officers urge drivers that when the fog is thick like this, to slow down.

"Man after today's lesson, I would say pull over and dont drive," said Carrillo.

The collision remains under investigation.

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