A single-vehicle rollover incident occurred today on southbound State Route 99 near Court Street in Porterville, CA, leading to significant traffic delays but no reported injuries. The driver of a black Chevrolet SUV lost control of the vehicle, causing it to swerve and flip over in the center divider around 5:26 AM.
Emergency services were quickly notified, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived on the scene to manage the situation. Tulare County Fire and Emergency Medical Services also responded to assist. Fortunately, it was confirmed that there were no injuries sustained during the incident.
Traffic was heavily impacted, with backups extending approximately half a mile as responders worked to clear the scene. Initial reports indicated that the vehicle was overturned and had smoke coming from it, prompting a rapid response from emergency personnel. The driver was reported to be out of the vehicle and was checked by emergency medical staff.
The CHP managed traffic flow during the incident, temporarily closing one lane to facilitate the safe removal of the vehicle. A tow truck was called to the scene to remove the damaged SUV, which had sustained significant damage from the rollover. By 6:20 AM, traffic was still backed up, but the situation began to improve as the lane closures were lifted and the vehicle was towed away.
Authorities confirmed that the driver lost control of the SUV while traveling on the highway, leading to the rollover. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safe driving practices, especially under challenging conditions.
As the scene was cleared and traffic resumed normal flow, the CHP continued to monitor the area to ensure the safety of all motorists. Drivers are reminded to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.