Multi-vehicle crash on Highway 99 closed lanes in both directions

Multiple vehicles were involved in a deadly crash that resulted in two deaths and five others injured.

Highway 99 south of chico remains closed in both directions right now, after a horrific, multi- vehicle crash that killed two people today.

And at this hour, nearly 10 hours later, there's still no estimate on when highway 99 will reopen.

And the breaking news continues as we are learning much more tonight about the deadly crash.

It happened just before one this afternoon on the northbound lanes of highway 99 at the neal road intersection.

Action news now reporter brandon benitez has been following this story from the beginning and joins us now live from the scene where the investigation continues... brandon.

The chp says the reason the highway has been closed for over nine hours now is to allow investigators to carefully examine the scene.

Cal trans tweeted out saying highway 99 is estimated to reopen at midnight... three of the six vehicles involved, including a big rig are still here but are being lifted as we speak... here's what it looked looked like this afternoon.

A horrific scene.

And now tonight were learn much more about what happened.

According to chp investigators, a big-rig pulling a trailer, heading north on 99,*did - not - slow dow* as it approached traffic stopped for the light at neal road.

It's not clear why.

That big rig slammed full speed into the back of a honda accord,*killin* the man and woman inside.

The massive impact then shoved that car into cars in front of it, ultimately impacting a total of six vehicles.

Other than the two killed, no one else was seriously injured.

Chp investigators identified the driver of the big rig that caused the deadly crash as*jobanjit sing* of sacramento.

He is 22 years old.

Alcohol and drugs are*no* suspected - and singh has not been arrested.

Investigators are not releasing the names of the two people killed.

They did say they are a man and a woman, both 55 years old, from los molinos.

(brandon wrap up on latest on when 99 will reopen) live in chico brandon benitz ann cycco.### in the