WOODLAND, CA - Southbound Interstate 5 at County Road 102 in Yolo County was reopened to traffic nearly nine hours after a deadly five-vehicle collision forced a roadway closure Monday afternoon.
According to the California Highway Patrol, traffic was beginning to merge into the left lane for a construction zone coming up when a small car, possibly an Acura, was pushed into the center median and caught fire. The time was about 12:40 p.m.
A Jeep Wrangler was then struck and pushed into the flames.
CHP investigators were not sure yet how two other vehicles and and what was described as a box truck caught fire. It may have been from the median fire or from another collision. The truck ended up on its side.
CHP Officer Ken Walter said two adults died along with a 3 year old.
"It's a very small person," Walter said, "But right now it's hard to know for sure."
The child was in the first car to catch fire.
Crews were also checking an SUV involved in the crash and fire for a third adult who may be unaccounted for.
Seven were injured. The hurt were transported to UC Davis Medical Center (Sacramento), Kaiser Permanente and Mercy San Juan Medical Center (Carmichael). Their conditions were not known.
All that remained of at least two of the vehicles were burned hulls.
News10/KXTV