An eight-vehicle crash shut down multiple lanes of northbound Interstate 5 in Stockton on the evening of Thursday, September 18, 2026, after a big rig hauling watermelons overturned near March Lane. The pileup happened during the evening commute, around 5:15 p.m., leaving traffic backed up behind the wreckage. Three people were taken to area hospitals, one with serious injuries and two with minor injuries. The big rig’s driver was also transported but reported only minor injuries. California Highway Patrol officers closed lanes 2 through 5 for hours while crews worked to clear the scene.
CBS Sacramento reported that the crash occurred just after 5:15 p.m. on the northbound side of I-5 south of March Lane, citing dashcam footage that captured the moments before the big rig overturned. According to the outlet, CHP said traffic would be heavily impacted for an undetermined amount of time because of the cleanup and urged drivers to find alternate routes. Witnesses told reporters that one of the vehicles allegedly cut off the semi-truck moments before the crash, though CHP had not confirmed a cause as of the report. The investigation into what triggered the eight-vehicle pileup remains active.
