Part of Overpass Falls Onto I-5; 1 Killed, 1 Hurt
A freeway overpass that was under construction partially collapsed Wednesday after it was hit by a crane, killing one person and sending debris plunging onto Interstate 5, officials said.
Another person was injured in the 1:30 p.m. accident about 15 miles north of downtown San Diego, Fire Capt. Ron Cervantes said.
The identities of the victims were not immediately known.
The crane operator apparently was moving construction materials and struck a bridge support, dislodging a steel beam that fell onto the freeway, a city Fire Department spokeswoman said. Other debris was pulled down with the beam and landed on the roadway.
California Highway Patrol Officer Pam Huntington said that one to three cars may have been hit by the falling debris, but information on whether any drivers were among the victims was not immediately available.
The debris fell across all four northbound lanes of the freeway, forcing closure of the major traffic link between San Diego and Los Angeles.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
