2 dead after string of crashes near Merced

MERCED COUNTY. (KFSN) -- Two people are dead after a series of car crashes along Highway 59 in Merced County.

California Highway Patrol officers say fog likely contributed to four different accidents involving a total of 16 cars Saturday morning near Rahillly Road on Highway 59.

Authorities were busy at the scene of one of four accidents near Merced where a milk truck pulling out of a dairy was hit by Dodge Ram, causing a chain reaction crash. "A Chevrolet Tahoe then collided into the rear of the Dodge Ram," Moises Onsurez with the CHP explained. "A Chevrolet van following the Tahoe also collided into the Dodge Ram."

Two men inside the Dodge, one 47-years-old and the other 35, died. Authorities say there was approximately 50 feet of visibility due to dense fog. The weather was also present and a possible factor when three other crashes involving a total of 16 cars.

"When it come out it's nasty," driver Karin Ashlock said. "You better slow down or you're in trouble."

Ashlock says she was a school bus driver and said some days the fog would be so thick she would have to make a quick decision to keep everyone on board safe.