Northbound I-5 was brought to a complete standstill after a 4-vehicle crash sent three to the hospital. The crash took place at 1:30 p.m. on Thurs., March 3, just north of the intersection of I-5 and SR-599. Witnesses told police that a tire or wheel came off a disabled vehicle before being struck by a second vehicle traveling near it. The disabled vehicle was then struck by a third vehicle while a fourth vehicle also crashed. Emergency responders arrived to find the back half of the disabled vehicle completely smashed with significant damage on the other vehicles involved. Two travelers were rushed to a local hospital in critical condition while with another taken to the hospital in serious condition. The other commuters escaped the wreck without significant injury. With all lanes blocked on I-5, drivers were advised to use SR-599, Highway-99 and I-405 to travel north. With vehicles and debris cleared from the scene and the investigation complete, all lanes were officially reopened just before 4 p.m. but the backup of an estimated four miles took nearly an hour to clear.