Big rig crashes snarl traffic on Highway 99 amid ongoing freeway construction

Multiple collisions on an under-construction section of Highway 99 caused a big rig to leave the roadway and a Merced on-ramp to be shut down for several hours Wednesday, according to California Highway Patrol.

At about 2:20 p.m. CHP responded to a two-vehicle collision along northbound Highway 99 just north of V Street, according to Officer Eric Zuniga.

The first collision occurred when a 2019 Kenworth big rig traveling north in the No. 2 lane driven by Samantha Poulsen, 44, of Fresno, collided with the rear of a camper towed behind a GMC Yukon.

Authorities said the driver of the GMC, Jesse Montano, 57, of San Jose, had slowed down due to traffic ahead.

About a minute later, a 2013 Freightliner driven by Arturo Macias, 55, of Madera, approached the collision. Zuniga said it appears Macias did not see the traffic stopped ahead and collision in the roadway.

Macias attempted to avoid a collision but the Freightliner collided with the rear of the Kenworth before leaving the roadway and traveling down an embankment where it came to rest near a car dealership, CHP said.

Zuniga said the V Street on-ramp to Highway 99 was closed until about 8:23 p.m. as a result of the collisions.

Poulsen reported a complaint of pain following the collisions and was taken to Mercy Medical Center. According to the CHP, neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision which remains under investigation.

Zuniga said motorists are advised to slow down, pay attention and increase following distances while navigating construction zones.