(FOX40.COM) — A brief driver distraction led to a chain-reaction crash involving two big rigs early Wednesday morning on Interstate 5 northbound just north of the Willows Rest Area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP said the initial collision occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m. when a driver traveling northbound reportedly looked away from the roadway to cough. When the driver refocused on traffic, a big rig was directly ahead, and the driver was unable to avoid crashing into the rear of the truck.
The impact disabled the driver’s vehicle, leaving it in the slow lane.
Authorities said the crash damaged the vehicle’s electrical system, causing its lights to stop functioning. The driver exited the vehicle and moved to the shoulder for safety.
A short time later, authorities stated that a second big rig traveling in the same lane approached the scene and did not see the unlit vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
The truck struck the disabled vehicle, causing additional damage and leaving the big rig disabled and blocking the slow lane of I-5, officials said.
Despite the severity of the crashes, no injuries were reported.
Officials reminded drivers that even momentary distractions — including natural actions such as coughing — can have serious consequences on the road.