Portion of Highway 99 in Merced closed after solo crash

MERCED, Calif. -- A portion of southbound Highway 99 in Merced is blocked following a solo big rig collision on Saturday morning.

The California Highway Patrol says a section north of 16th Street has been reduced to one lane, and commuters should expect delays for several hours.

Officials have not released details about how the crash happened or if the driver sustained any injuries.

The crash damaged about 100 feet of the guardrail.

Caltrans is working to clear the road and get traffic flowing.

CHP is reminding the public to slow down, stay focused on driving, and move over when it is safe to do so.

They also say that if you're traveling near a commercial vehicle, remember that big rigs need more time to stop, have larger blind spots, and require extra room to maneuver, giving them that space can help prevent crashes before they happen.