A three-vehicle accident at Highway 65 and Avenue 196 had Monday morning traffic at a standstill in all directions as emergency vehicles worked on clearing the path.

Gloria Gonzalez of Visalia said she and Ana DeLeon were on their way to work in Porterville when they were hit from behind shortly before 8 a.m. by a silver-colored Honda Civic as they approached the traffic light.

Cynthia Weatherly of Exeter said she was a couple of cars behind Gonzalez and saw the accident unfold.

“They didn’t even see it coming but I did,” Weatherly said. “The [Honda] cut me off and pulled out in front of me. The light changed and the car in front of him started to brake. He sped up to run it. I guess he thought the car in front was going to speed up too. She didn’t and he smacked right into it — and into the work truck.”

Weatherly said she was lucky he didn’t hit her too.

Gonzalez received a large bruise in the middle of her forehead but no other injuries were reported.

“It all happened so fast, I don’t even know what happened,” Gonzalez said.

As Gonzalez gave her report to officer Matt Tyler, a second CHP vehicle pushed the Honda out of the way.

Information about the third vehicle was not available at press time.

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.