A serious three-vehicle collision involving a semi-truck rollover on Interstate 5 near Hilltop Drive in Redding has resulted in two people being hospitalized with moderate to major injuries. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, May 6, 2025, is currently under investigation by authorities, with impaired driving suspected as a potential cause.
Details of the I-5 Crash
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash sequence began when the driver of a Cadillac SUV traveled down the embankment at the Hilltop Drive overcrossing and onto Interstate 5. The SUV then collided with a semi-truck that was pulling a tanker trailer. The impact caused the big rig to overturn onto its side, creating a hazardous situation on the busy highway.
As the initial collision unfolded, a third vehicle became involved when it sideswiped the overturned semi-truck. The multi-vehicle crash resulted in significant traffic disruptions, with cars moving slowly on the left shoulder of I-5 while emergency responders worked at the scene.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Two people involved in the collision sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. The identities of the injured parties have not been released, nor has information about their current conditions.
Emergency crews worked diligently at the crash site to provide medical assistance and manage the complex accident scene involving the overturned tanker truck.
First responders from multiple agencies, including the Redding Fire Department and emergency medical services, acted swiftly to secure the area and establish a safe perimeter around the overturned semi-truck, which presented additional hazards due to the tanker trailer.
The coordinated emergency response was crucial in providing timely medical care to the injured victims while simultaneously addressing the potential dangers posed by the accident scene on the busy interstate.
DUI Investigation Underway
The Redding Police Department has indicated that the driver of the Cadillac SUV is currently under investigation for possibly driving under the influence. This potential factor adds another serious dimension to the incident, as impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of injury accidents on California highways.
Officers at the scene reportedly conducted field sobriety tests and may have requested blood samples to determine the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash. If the DUI suspicion is confirmed through toxicology results, the driver could face significant criminal charges, including DUI causing injury, which carries enhanced penalties in California.
These charges might include substantial fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even imprisonment, particularly given the serious nature of the injuries sustained by victims in this multi-vehicle collision.
Legal Implications of Multi-Vehicle Crashes Involving DUI
When crashes involve commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and include potential impaired driving, the legal implications can be complex. Determining liability in multi-vehicle accidents requires a thorough investigation, especially when factors such as DUI are involved.
In California, a driver who causes an accident while under the influence may face both criminal penalties and civil liability. For the victims, this can significantly strengthen personal injury claims, as DUI constitutes negligence per se, meaning the impaired driver is presumed negligent as a matter of law.
Additionally, when commercial vehicles like semi-trucks are involved, multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, or cargo loaders, may share liability if improper weight distribution contributed to the rollover.
This complex web of potential liability often necessitates expert legal representation to ensure injured parties receive full and fair compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from this preventable tragedy.
Safety Concerns on the I-5 Corridor
The Interstate 5 corridor through Redding is a significant transportation artery with heavy traffic, including commercial vehicles. This recent incident highlights the continuing safety concerns along this stretch of highway, particularly near interchanges and overcrossings where vehicles may enter the freeway at unexpected points.
The Hilltop Drive area has been identified as problematic due to its steep embankments and challenging sight lines for drivers. Local transportation officials have previously documented several near-misses and accidents in this vicinity, prompting discussions about potential infrastructure improvements such as enhanced guardrails, redesigned on-ramps, or additional lighting.
The high volume of commercial truck traffic through this northern California corridor compounds these safety issues, as accidents involving large vehicles tend to result in more serious outcomes.
Community advocates have called for increased CHP patrols in this area and urged Caltrans to consider implementing additional safety measures to prevent similar incidents, especially during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced.
Preventing Rollover Crashes Involving Semi-Trucks
Due to their size and weight and potential hazards from cargo spills, semi-truck rollover accidents present particular dangers. In this case, the semi-truck pulled a tanker trailer, which could have contained flammable or hazardous materials.
Preventing such crashes requires a combination of:
- Strict enforcement of impaired driving laws
- Commercial driver training and safety protocols
- Highway design considerations, particularly near on-ramps and overcrossings
- Public awareness about sharing the road safely with large commercial vehicles
Professional truck drivers undergo specialized training to manage the unique physics of large vehicles, including proper braking techniques and load distribution awareness. Modern safety technologies can also play a crucial role, with electronic stability control systems now mandatory on newer commercial vehicles to detect and prevent potential rollovers.
For tanker trucks specifically, baffles inside the tank help minimize liquid surges that can shift a vehicle’s center of gravity during turns or sudden maneuvers.
Trucking companies are responsible for implementing comprehensive maintenance programs, ensuring proper loading procedures, and enforcing mandatory rest periods to prevent driver fatigue, another significant factor in rollover incidents.
When other motorists drive recklessly around semi-trucks, as potentially happened in this Redding crash, even the most careful commercial driver may be unable to prevent a catastrophic rollover situation.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Multi-Vehicle Crash
If you find yourself involved in a multi-vehicle collision, taking these steps can help protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Report the accident to law enforcement
- Document the scene if possible and safe to do so
- Exchange information with other involved parties
- Contact your insurance company
- Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney, especially in complex commercial vehicles or DUI cases.
The recent crash on I-5 near Hilltop Drive serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of impaired driving and the particular dangers posed by collisions involving semi-trucks. As the investigation continues into this incident, it underscores the importance of safe driving practices and the profound legal implications that can result from negligent behavior behind the wheel.
For those affected by similar incidents, understanding your legal rights and options is an essential step toward recovery and receiving fair compensation for injuries and damages suffered.
Truck Accident Settlement Calculator: Computing Your Case Value
A truck accident settlement calculator can be an invaluable preliminary tool for victims seeking to understand the potential value of their legal claims following a semi-truck collision.
These specialized calculators consider multiple factors specific to commercial vehicle accidents, including medical expenses (current and projected future costs), lost income, diminished earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and the severity of injuries sustained, unlike typical car accident calculators, truck accident settlement tools factor in the complexities of commercial insurance policies, which often have significantly higher coverage limits, and the potential liability of multiple parties in the supply chain.
While no calculator can provide a definitive settlement amount, as each case involves unique circumstances and local legal considerations, these tools can help accident victims establish realistic expectations and identify which economic and non-economic damages should be included in their claims.
Consulting with an experienced truck accident attorney remains essential. They can provide a more nuanced evaluation based on similar cases in your jurisdiction. They can consider additional factors, such as the impact of potential DUI charges against other drivers involved in the collision, as seen in the recent Redding I-5 incident. Call us now at +1 415-986-4777 to talk to the experts.
Moving Forward
“As someone who has dedicated my career to helping accident victims, I’m deeply concerned about those injured in this I-5 rollover crash. When multiple vehicles and a potential DUI are involved, the path to recovery becomes even more complicated. If you or a loved one were hurt in this incident, please understand that you don’t have to navigate this difficult time alone. Seeking prompt medical care should be your priority, but protecting your legal rights is also crucial. Evidence from the scene, including the DUI investigation, could significantly impact your case. Our team is here to handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing. Remember, time limits apply to injury claims, so reaching out for legal guidance sooner rather than later can make all the difference in securing the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost income, and the pain you’ve endured.”- Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorney
At GJEL, we ensure all evidence is properly preserved and all potential sources of compensation are thoroughly investigated while families focus on healing. Talk to an experienced GJEL accident attorney for a free legal consultation. We work on a contingency fee, so you don’t have to pay unless we win your case. Call us at +1 415-986-4777 or visit our Oakland office for free legal advice.
Accident Resources and Important Contact Information
For individuals involved in or affected by the May 6, 2025, multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Hilltop Drive in Redding, the following detailed resource information may be helpful:
California Highway Patrol – Redding Area Office
- Phone: (530) 225-0500
- Address: 2503 Cascade Boulevard, Redding, CA 96003
- Website: www.chp.ca.gov
- Services Available:
- Complete traffic collision reports (available approximately 10-15 business days after the incident)
- Witness statement submissions
- Vehicle information verification
- Officer contact information for those who responded to the scene
- Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Redding Police Department
- Phone: (530) 225-4200
- Emergency: 911
- Address: 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001
- Website: www.cityofredding.org/departments/police-department
- DUI Investigation Unit: (530) 225-4214
- Services Available:
- Case status updates regarding the DUI investigation
- Victim services coordinator’s assistance
- Evidence documentation related to the investigation
- Hours of operation: 24 hours/day, administrative office open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Shasta County Superior Court
- Phone: (530) 245-6789
- Address: 1500 Court Street, Redding, CA 96001
- Website: www.shastacourts.com
- Services Available:
- Information on civil case filings for personal injury claims
- Court calendar and hearing schedules
- Self-help resources for legal proceedings
- Access to court records related to any criminal charges filed
- Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Caltrans District 2 (Northern California)
- Traffic Conditions: QuickMap available at quickmap.dot.ca.gov
- Highway Information Network: 1-800-427-7623
- District Office Phone: (530) 225-3426
- Website: dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-2
- Services Available:
- Real-time traffic updates on Interstate 5
- Road closure information
- Construction and repair schedules following the accident
- Highway safety improvement requests
- Hours of operation: Traffic information available 24/7; office open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.