Lodi, CA (August 5, 2026) — A semi-truck hauling vehicles and a black sedan were involved in a crash on northbound I-5 near the SR-12 interchange on Tuesday, August 4.
California Highway Patrol dispatch records show the collision was reported shortly before 6 a.m. The semi-truck came to rest on the right shoulder, while the sedan was found in a ditch.
The initial dispatch information indicated that the vehicles were not blocking the travel lanes. Emergency personnel were notified, but the record did not confirm whether anyone was transported for treatment. The cause remains under investigation.
We hope everyone involved gets a swift and full recovery.
Where the Crash Happened: Northbound I-5 Near SR-12
Interstate 5 and State Route 12 meet along a corridor serving traffic between Lodi and nearby San Joaquin County communities. Drivers in the area may encounter vehicles entering or leaving the interstate as through traffic continues northbound.
Interchange areas can involve merging, lane changes, and changing speeds. Roadside terrain also becomes relevant when a vehicle leaves the paved travel area and enters a ditch.
What We Know
- The crash was reported shortly before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
- A semi-truck with a car hauler and a black sedan were involved.
- The semi-truck stopped on the right shoulder.
- The sedan came to rest in a ditch.
- The vehicles were not reported to be blocking traffic lanes.
- Emergency personnel were notified.
How Vehicle Size Differences Affect a Truck Collision
A semi-truck with a car-hauling trailer differs substantially from a passenger sedan in weight, length, braking distance, and maneuverability. Those differences can shape how each vehicle responds during contact or a sudden evasive movement.
Investigators reviewing this I-5 crash will need to determine how the sedan left the roadway and whether that movement occurred before or after contact with the truck. The final positions alone do not establish the collision sequence.
How This Crash Is Investigated
CHP investigators may examine damage to the semi-truck, trailer, and sedan, along with tire marks, debris, and the point where the car entered the ditch. Those details can help establish the vehicles’ paths and identify the likely area of impact.
Statements from the drivers may be compared with the physical evidence. Investigators may also review the truck and trailer configuration because the semi was transporting vehicles, but the initial dispatch record does not assign responsibility.
What to Do After a Semi-Truck Collision
People involved in a California commercial-vehicle crash should preserve photographs, towing documents, repair estimates, medical records, and insurance correspondence. Records showing where each vehicle stopped can be particularly useful when one vehicle leaves the roadway.
For crashes investigated by the California Highway Patrol, reports are available through the CHP Crash Portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov or through a CHP 190 request submitted by mail or in person. The collision report form is CHP 555, while CHP 190 is the request form.
The online portal fee is $22. Mail and in-person requests cost $10 per 25 pages through CHP. A report becomes available after the investigating officer files it, and the portal shows when it is ready.
Under Vehicle Code § 20012, eligible parties of interest include drivers, passengers, vehicle or property owners, parents or guardians, and legal or insurance representatives. California collision reports are not public records and remain restricted to eligible parties, with no fixed public-release window.
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.
