Lodi, CA (August 13, 2026) — On Tuesday, August 11, a Chevrolet Impala and a big rig were involved in a crash on northbound Interstate 5 near the State Route 12 off-ramp, according to California Highway Patrol dispatch records. The collision was ultimately classified as involving a minor injury.
The incident was first reported at about 11:56 a.m. Dispatch information indicated that the sedan went off the right side of the roadway into a field and rolled over. An OnStar notification later identified the car as a black Chevrolet Impala and reported that its airbags had deployed.
Investigators continue reviewing the crash. We hope anyone affected by this collision has a safe recovery.
Where the Crash Happened: I-5 Near the SR-12 Off-Ramp
The crash was reported on northbound Interstate 5 near the State Route 12 off-ramp. This is a limited-access interstate setting where vehicles may be continuing along the main travel lanes or positioning to leave the freeway.
Off-ramp approaches can create changes in lane position as traffic separates toward an exit. That roadway layout is relevant when investigators assess where vehicles were traveling before a collision, although the dispatch record does not specify which lane either vehicle occupied before this crash.
What We Know
- The initial report described a black sedan and a big rig.
- OnStar later identified the sedan as a black Chevrolet Impala and reported a rollover with airbag deployment.
- CHP changed the incident classification to a minor-injury collision at 12:12 p.m.
- A tow was requested for the vehicle.
- Fire personnel were also associated with the response.
Why Leaving the Interstate Can Change a Collision’s Dynamics
A collision does not necessarily end with the first point of contact. In this case, the Impala left the paved roadway and entered a field before coming to rest, adding an off-road component to the incident.
When a vehicle departs an interstate, changes in the surface beyond the travel lanes can affect how the vehicle moves and comes to a stop. A rollover can further complicate the scene because investigators must distinguish damage from the initial collision from damage caused during the vehicle’s subsequent movement.
The dispatch information does not identify the specific mechanism that caused the Impala to leave the roadway, so no conclusion can be drawn about whether the departure occurred before or after contact with the big rig.
How This Crash Is Investigated
Vehicle position can provide investigators with important clues when reconstructing a crash involving a roadway departure. CHP dispatch records later placed the Impala about 200 feet into the field, while the big rig was reported on the right-hand side of the roadway.
Investigators can compare those final positions with vehicle damage, roadway marks, debris, and other physical evidence to work backward through the sequence of events. That process can help establish where contact occurred and how the Impala traveled from the interstate into the field without relying solely on the first dispatch descriptions.
What to Do After a Car Collision
People involved in a California collision can use the completed crash report to review information documented after officers have investigated the scene. Keeping photographs, medical records, repair information, towing documents, and insurance correspondence together can also help preserve details while the report is being completed.
For crashes investigated by the California Highway Patrol on freeways, state highways, or in unincorporated areas, the California spreadsheet row lists the California Highway Patrol as the report agency. Reports may be obtained through the CHP Crash Portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov or with a CHP 190 form by mail or in person.
The report form is CHP 555, and CHP 190 is the request form. The online portal fee is $22, while mail or in-person requests through CHP cost $10 per 25 pages.
Reports are available after the officer files them, and the portal shows when a report is ready. Under Vehicle Code § 20012, a party of interest includes a driver, passenger, vehicle or property owner, parent or guardian, or legal or insurance representative. California Highway Patrol reports are not public and are restricted to parties of interest, with no fixed day window for public release.
Local Accident Reports compiles incident information from official agencies and credible local sources. Details from initial reports may be updated as official investigations conclude. If you have direct knowledge that any information here is inaccurate, please contact us so we can review and correct the record.
