The major injury collision occurred in the southbound lanes of State Route 99 at the Atwater Boulevard off-ramp at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Atwater, CA – At least one person sustained major injuries after a wrong-way driver triggered a two-vehicle collision on Highway 99 in Atwater early Sunday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The major injury collision occurred in the southbound lanes of State Route 99 at the Atwater Boulevard off-ramp at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
CHP officials said the incident was caused by a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. According to dispatch logs, the wrong-way vehicle entered the freeway from the Atwater Boulevard off-ramp and collided with an oncoming white Honda. The impact was severe enough to leave an engine and debris scattered across the roadway.
One person was found unconscious at the scene and sustained major injuries. A medical helicopter landed directly on the freeway to airlift the victim to Modesto Memorial Hospital. No arrests were immediately reported as authorities worked to notify family members.
The cause of the crash has been identified as a wrong-way driver entering the southbound freeway lanes from an off-ramp.
The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene alongside Cal Fire and AMR ambulance crews.
The crash significantly impacted the area for over two hours. The southbound freeway lanes were shut down completely, and traffic was diverted while crews cleared heavy debris and an engine from the roadway. All lanes were officially reopened by approximately 2:52 a.m.
The Atwater crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.