A van and several vehicles collided in Oceanside Wednesday, resulting in some injuries and heavy traffic in the area amid the early morning commute.
According to the Oceanside Fire Department, the traffic accident happened just before 6 a.m. on westbound State Route 76 between Benet and Airport roads. For unknown reasons, a van and four cars crashed into one another.
Officials said a total of nine people were involved in the collision and assessed by paramedics at the scene. Two sustained minor injuries but neither required hospitalization. Everyone involved was treated and released at the scene.
Smoke could be seen stemming from the site of the crash but Oceanside officials said the smoke was from hot brake fluid that spread all over one of the vehicles on the roadway.
California Highway Patrol officials blocked all lanes of traffic in both directions on SR-76 immediately following the collision. At one point, commuter speeds in the area slowed to about 20 mph.
Crews stayed on scene for about an hour-and-a-half while vehicles and debris were removed from the roadway. As of 7:30 a.m., CHP officials said the scene had been cleared and the SigAlert had been lifted.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Get traffic updates here.
