YORBA LINDA, CA — A deluge of rainy-day crashes involving at least 20 cars brought traffic to a standstill and left several injuries on the Riverside (91) Freeway traveling through Yorba Linda Friday.
The crash was originally reported at 3:22 p.m. on the westbound side of the freeway near Imperial Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
While initial reports showed the crash originally involved three cars, the situation quickly evolved and resulted in at least 10 vehicles jamming several lanes on the freeway.
Just a short time later, a three-car crash was reported just south of the original crash site at 3:47 p.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the size of that crash quickly ballooned — by 4:11 p.m., a reported 10 vehicles were involved in the second crash.
Video footage shot at the scene shows a procession of halted cars scattered across the freeway lanes. Many were crushed bumper to bumper, while others were stalled in the lanes with visible front or back-end damage.
According to eyewitness reports, people were seen standing near their cars on the freeway — some making phone calls, others surveying the extensive miles of damage.
It was not immediately known how many people were injured in the pileup.
Traffic on the 91 Freeway was stalled for almost 11 miles, spanning from Yorba Linda Boulevard and Weir Canyon Road to the Imperial Highway (90) exit.
The crashes came amid surges of rainy-day downpour impacting Orange County. At the time of the crash, eyewitness accounts report that the pavement was still slick with rainwater.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Orange County Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.