By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Three accidents within hours on 120 Bypass
120 bypass logo

It was a busy day Wednesday for Manteca’s first responders after a number of vehicle accidents taxed resources and clogged up traffic. 

The morning after first responders were called out to a fatal accident on Union Road and Louise Avenue, a four-vehicle accident on the eastbound lanes of the Highway 120 Bypass at Main Street sent multiple people to the hospital. Shortly thereafter an accident at the intersection of Main Street and Wawona prompted an additional response, and while crews were still on scene tending to those involved a third accident was reported on the Main Street overpass involving three cars and multiple injuries. 

And that was all within the matter of an hour. 

By Wednesday afternoon, local first responders were dispatched to another accident on the eastbound lanes of the Highway 120 Bypass past Main Street that also involved four vehicles. By the time crews assessed, prepared, and treated victims, three people were transported to local hospitals for their injuries. 

Then at 10:47 p.m. there was a major traffic collision in the areas of West Atherton Drive and Langum Way and Toscano Drive south of the 120 Bypass and west of Airport Way. No other details were available as of press time except for Manteca Police were characterizing it as a major accident.

According to Caltrans, the odds of getting into a collision on the Highway 120 Bypass when driving in the eastbound lanes approaching Highway 99 are six times higher than the statewide average – fueled primarily, according to a study of the congestion and the increase in vehicle accidents, by drivers using the fast lane to try and get past the backup in the lane for traffic preparing to head south on Highway 99 and cut over at the last minute. 

Funding for improvements to the interchange at the Highway 120 Bypass and Highway 99 was approved by former Governor Jerry Brown when he signed California’s updated gas tax bill into law. Work on those improvements are targeted to start in 2021.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.