[02-17-2026] Shasta County, CA – One Dead, Several Injured in Major Crash Involving 17 Vehicles on I-5 in Lakehead

One person is dead, and several others have been injured following a major crash involving up to 17 vehicles in Lakehead, Shasta County, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The California Highway Patrol and emergency crews responded to reports of the collision around 3:00 p.m. on southbound Interstate 5 near Gilman Road.

Lieutenant Brandon Lale with the CHP stated that the crash appeared to have been caused by a sudden downpour of hail, which made the southbound lanes icy and hazardous.

The chain-reaction crash began with the hailstorm and involved 15 to 17 vehicles, including several big rigs.

The southbound lanes of I-5 were shut down for about three hours while authorities and emergency crews worked at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

What A Lawyer Can Do For You

Many victims put off calling a lawyer even if they sustain injuries after an accident. However, lawyers can help you in many ways. They can provide you with police reports, CCTV footage, and witness statements to strengthen your case. Your attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. The best part is that they will do all of these things for you at no upfront cost. So if you’re injured in an accident, hire a personal injury attorney to recover medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.