Accident causes back up on Highway 99 near the I-5 split

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE: Four vehicles were involved in a crash on northbound Highway 99 near the i-5 split and the California Highway Patrol says it was caused by a driver on the wrong side of the road.

CHP said they started receiving calls about the crash around 3:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

According to the CHP a Honda Civic was traveling southbound on northbound 99 when the vehicle crashed into a Nissan Armada. A Honda Accord was also struck and a Honda Odyssey was sideswiped.

Authorities said a 50-year-old man driving the Honda Civic was declared dead on the scene.

Meanwhile, seven passengers in the other vehicles have all been transported with injuries ranging from moderate to major, inlcuding two children.

At this time as crews continue to investigate the crash and clean up, northbound 99 is down to two lanes. Caltrans says there is no eta on when northbound 99 will fully reopen.

UPDATE: A major fatal crash on I-5 has shut down northbound traffic on Highway 99 near the split.

The California Highway Patrol started receiving calls about the crash around 3:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon. According to the CHP it happened in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 just north of the I-5, 99 split.

Intial reports are that multiple people are injured.

Northbound traffic is being diverted onto northbound I-5 at this time as crews continue to investigate the crash and clean up.

CalTrans says there is no timetable on when northbound 99 will reopen.

This is a developing story, we'll continue to bring you the latest information as it becomes available.

A major accident on Highway 99 just north of the I-5 split has traffic backed up. Traffic is being diverted onto I-5.

A medivac has been requested.

Drivers should take alternate routes.