4 injured after SUV strikes pole, rolls over on Highway 99 in North Natomas

Four people were critically injured Friday afternoon when an SUV crashed into a light pole on southbound Highway 99 near the Interstate 5 connector in the North Natomas section of Sacramento, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP incident logs indicated the crash occurred just before 12:45 p.m., with reports of the vehicle rolling over several times and catching fire in the right lanes. Footage from Caltrans traffic cameras showed stalled traffic heading into Sacramento as emergency crews responded, with the vehicle moved to the shoulder.

The white SUV, which appeared to be a Mitsubishi Outlander, was traveling southbound when it struck the pole near the offramp to northbound I-5, causing the pole to fall. Fire personnel were dispatched with one responder noting visible flames, according to the CHP’s logs.

A spokesperson for the CHP’s North Sacramento office said one person inside the vehicle was ejected in the crash, and Sacramento firefighters said that a total of four people inside the vehicle were critically injured and transported to the hospital.

CHP officials said the cause of the crash is under investigation but alcohol and drugs did not appear to be a factor.