The collision occurred around midnight on March 10 on the southbound lanes of 5 Freeway just south of 505 Freeway.
Woodland, CA – At least one person was killed in a wrong-way collision that happened early Tuesday morning on 5 Freeway in Woodland, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The collision occurred around midnight on March 10 on the southbound lanes of 5 Freeway just south of 505 Freeway.
A sedan was reportedly traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when it collided with a semi-truck. The sedan reportedly caught fire after the collision.
Two occupants in the sedan were trapped inside. Firefighters responded to the scene and freed the victims.
The report said that at least one person died in the crash.
It was unclear if anyone else was injured.
CHP is investigating the collision.
Woodland is a focal point for state-level efforts to curb wrong-way driving, particularly where local streets meet the I-5 and SR-113 interchanges. According to Caltrans District 3 reports, these highway interfaces are identified as high-risk “hotspots.” While wrong-way collisions account for only about 1% of total crashes in California, they are disproportionately fatal, with roughly 60% involving alcohol impairment. Local safety audits highlight that Yolo County has been a testbed for Caltrans’ “Wrong-Way Deterrence” pilot, which recently implemented reflective pavement markers and LED-enhanced “Do Not Enter” signs to prevent ramp miscues.
The city’s 2023–2026 Comprehensive Safety Action Plan specifically targets the East Main Street corridor for these interventions, as it serves as a primary gateway where drivers mistakenly enter freeway off-ramps. Data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicates that these incidents peak between midnight and 3:00 AM, often involving drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over 0.15.
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