Multi-Vehicle Accidents Snarl Traffic on I-5, Two Children Critical

At least 10 people are injured in two multi-vehicle accidents that took place on I-5 south of Elk Grove Friday afternoon, said Deputy Chief John Michelini of the Cosumnes Fire Department.

Traffic was backed up on southbound I-5 from the county line to Elk Grove Blvd as of 4:00 p.m., Michelini said.

The first accident took place in the southbound lanes near Twin Cities Road around 3:00 p.m. and sent two critically-injured children to UC Davis Medical Center.

Three other people were hospitalized with less-serious injuries after the crash, which happened when a vehicle in the northbound lanes crossed over and struck another vehicle going south.

The second accident happened shortly after when a car was rear-ended in the northbound lanes near the county line, Michelini said.

"It probably resulted as traffic slowed down for the first accident," he said. Five patients from the second crash were taken to Kaiser South Sacramento with minor to moderate injuries.

Lanes were closed in both directions as a result of the crash.

"With the Friday commute it should be pretty impacted for a while," Michelini said.