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Why Are There So Many Accidents On Interstate 5 Near The Seamus Avenue Exit?

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Truckers CBS13 spoke to say accidents along one busy stretch of Interstate 5 in Sacramento are avoidable.

Five crashes in recent weeks, including one that turned deadly, have struck the dangerous stretch between 47th Avenue and Sutterville Road near the Seamus Avenue exit. The California Highway Patrol describes the area as a hotspot for crashes.

On Nov. 2, two crashes happened within a few hours—a driver crashed and her car caught fire, while in the second accident a big rig slammed into a sound wall. Everyone survived.

But on Dec. 10, an Elk Grove man died after officers say a FedEx truck lost control and slammed into his vehicle.

CHP spokesman Michael Bradley says a combination of wet weather mixed with a busy morning commute are contributing factors, along with excessive speed for conditions.

"Any time it's raining hard, you know you need to reduce your speeds," he said.

Bill Harper, on the road for 12 years, says truckers are no different than any other drivers.

"We have to stay off our cellphones and pay attention to the task at hand. That's the biggest problem we have with truckers, cars," he said.

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