Object sighted above Pacheco Pass Highway 152 morning of 4/16/12
I was driving West on Highway 152 Pacheco Pass in Merced County on my way to work at approximately 7:00-7:15 AM. I was traveling approximately 80 mph in moderate traffic when I begun to crest the top of the Pass. I quickly noticed an object in the sky. My immediate thought was it was a Highway Patrol Aircraft patrolling, so I immediately slowed to 70 mph. I then noticed this object clearly did not have wings. I then thought it must be a helicopter of some type because it didn’t appear to be moving. The shape stood out to me as almost a pentagon shaped vessel and didn’t seem to have any distinct rotor or tail section. I would estimate its size to be slightly larger than a big SUV but it’s hard to estimate given the distance of I would guess 150-200 feet.
The object appeared to be white or a light grey. I did not see any lights or additional markings on the object. It struck me as strange because this object did not appear to be aero dynamic at all and it remained still. I was able to see it for a period of about 45 seconds continuously. At which point my position relative to the object was such that my roof prevented me from seeing it.
I wasn’t sure what it was, but didn’t pay much more attention to it. Then I noticed what was a moderate amount of traffic was now almost nonexistent. There were close to 60 vehicles pulled to the side of the road. I thought there may be an emergency so I began to slow even more and increase my awareness. Everyone seemed to be pulling over or already stopped and photographing or looking toward the sky.
I was late so I continued to work. I looked back several times to catch another glimpse of the object. I caught a short 3-4 second glimpse of the object which was now behind me. I am not sure if it was moving or not. The really strange thing is from this perspective (assuming it was the same object) has an elongated shape much narrower and taller than the original. I’m not saying it changed shape and I cannot be certain that it was the same object, only that the position in the sky seemed correct and it was also suspended in a similar manor.
Hoping to hear from one of the motorists pulled over who captured a photo or video.
((NUFORC Note: Many witnesses in Los Banos area. Approximately 15 witnesses contacted a newspaper in Los Banos, CA, about the sighting. We do not know yet what the object was. PD))
I was driving West on Highway 152 Pacheco Pass in Merced County on my way to work at approximately 7:00-7:15 AM. I was traveling approximately 80 mph in moderate traffic when I begun to crest the top of the Pass. I quickly noticed an object in the sky. My immediate thought was it was a Highway Patrol Aircraft patrolling, so I immediately slowed to 70 mph. I then noticed this object clearly did not have wings. I then thought it must be a helicopter of some type because it didn’t appear to be moving. The shape stood out to me as almost a pentagon shaped vessel and didn’t seem to have any distinct rotor or tail section. I would estimate its size to be slightly larger than a big SUV but it’s hard to estimate given the distance of I would guess 150-200 feet.
The object appeared to be white or a light grey. I did not see any lights or additional markings on the object. It struck me as strange because this object did not appear to be aero dynamic at all and it remained still. I was able to see it for a period of about 45 seconds continuously. At which point my position relative to the object was such that my roof prevented me from seeing it.
I wasn’t sure what it was, but didn’t pay much more attention to it. Then I noticed what was a moderate amount of traffic was now almost nonexistent. There were close to 60 vehicles pulled to the side of the road. I thought there may be an emergency so I began to slow even more and increase my awareness. Everyone seemed to be pulling over or already stopped and photographing or looking toward the sky.
I was late so I continued to work. I looked back several times to catch another glimpse of the object. I caught a short 3-4 second glimpse of the object which was now behind me. I am not sure if it was moving or not. The really strange thing is from this perspective (assuming it was the same object) has an elongated shape much narrower and taller than the original. I’m not saying it changed shape and I cannot be certain that it was the same object, only that the position in the sky seemed correct and it was also suspended in a similar manor.
Hoping to hear from one of the motorists pulled over who captured a photo or video.
((NUFORC Note: Many witnesses in Los Banos area. Approximately 15 witnesses contacted a newspaper in Los Banos, CA, about the sighting. We do not know yet what the object was. PD))
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Off
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Merced County
USA
Unknown
Unknown
other
CA
Occurred : 4/16/2012 07:00 (Entered as : 04/16/12 7:00) Reported: 4/16/2012 1:56:31 PM 13:56 Posted: 4/18/2012 Location: Merced County, CA Shape: Other Duration: Unknown
Object sighted above Pacheco Pass Highway 152 morning of 4/16/12. ((NUFORC Note: Many witnesses in Los Banos area. PD))