One of the vehicles was travelling northbound in the southbound lanes of 5 Freeway when it struck another vehicle head-on, killing one person.
Red Bluff, CA – One person was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 near the Finnell Avenue off-ramp in Red Bluff Friday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The fatal collision occurred on southbound Interstate 5 near the Finnell Avenue off-ramp at about 4:12 p.m. on May 8, and involved a black pickup truck and a white Ford sedan.
Witnesses told investigators that one of the vehicles was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the freeway before crashing head-on into the other vehicle. Both vehicles sustained major damage in the collision. Witnesses also reported the wrong-way vehicle may have struck another vehicle near the Corning Rest Area before the fatal crash.
Officials confirmed one person was killed in the collision. One other person was trapped inside one of the cars and sustained major injuries. No arrests were reported.
Emergency crews, including CHP officers, Cal Fire personnel, and the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene and worked to assist victims and manage traffic control. The coroner was also called to the crash scene.
Interstate 5 was shut down following the wreck, and traffic was diverted at Gyle Road for several hours. Authorities later reopened lanes, though heavy traffic backups remained in the area into the evening.
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal crash.