San Clemente Accident Today Causes Massive I-5 South Traffic Delays
Several lanes of southbound Interstate 5 near the San Diego–Orange County line were closed Wednesday evening following a fatal crash that caused hours-long traffic delays.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that the inside three lanes near the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant were shut down, leaving only the slow lane open.
Officials warned drivers to expect significant delays as emergency crews worked at the scene.
According to the CHP, the crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. and involved a pedestrian, although details about the incident remain limited.
Social media posts from the CHP indicated that the accident prompted the full closure of the main lanes, creating a traffic backup that extended for miles.
Witnesses reported seeing law enforcement officers and emergency responders actively managing the scene.
Local drivers expressed frustration as they encountered unexpected delays that far exceeded the estimates provided by navigation apps.
One commuter shared that Google Maps indicated a 36-minute delay, yet the actual travel time extended closer to three hours.
Other motorists reported being stuck on the freeway for more than four hours, with traffic reportedly backed up to areas including the San Clemente Auto Mall, Cristianitos Road, and Palizada.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with multiple law enforcement vehicles at the site. One driver noted seeing six or seven police cars at the truck scales, though they were unable to discern the full nature of the incident.
Another motorist shared that they observed a man running across the northbound lanes before entering the southbound side of I-5, suggesting that the pedestrian may have been involved in the fatal crash.
Emergency response teams remained on site late into the evening. A resident who drove by around 9 p.m. reported that the body of the individual involved was still on the roadway.
Despite the tragic circumstances, authorities worked to maintain a single open lane to allow limited vehicle movement while managing the scene.
The aftermath of the accident created major disruptions for commuters traveling between Orange County and San Diego. Many who attempted alternative routes reported that detours provided little relief, with travel times still dramatically increased.
One driver recounted that a trip from Irvine Spectrum to San Diego, typically under two hours, had been extended to nearly five hours due to congestion caused by the closure.
Another motorist opted for State Route 15 and was able to complete their journey in just over an hour, highlighting the difficulties of navigating around the affected portion of I-5.
Authorities urged drivers to avoid the southbound lanes in the Camp Pendleton area until the scene was cleared and lanes were fully reopened.
CHP officials also reminded the public to exercise caution near the accident site and to follow any instructions from law enforcement personnel managing traffic.
This remains a developing story, and officials have not yet released the identity of the individual involved or provided additional details about the circumstances leading to the crash.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Residents and commuters are advised to monitor local traffic reports and exercise patience as recovery and investigation efforts continue along one of Southern California’s busiest highways.
