LOCAL : Load of Plate Glass Falls on Golden State Freeway

Ten tons of plate glass fell off a truck and shattered early this morning on the Golden State Freeway near Saugus, causing a three-car collision, at least 15 flat tires and the closure of the southbound lanes of the freeway for more than an hour, authorities said.

The glass fell from a truck carrying 21 tons of plate glass from Fresno to Los Angeles, said Officer Ralph Elvira of the California Highway Patrol. Elvira said the truck, driven by Raul Hinojosa, 55, of Parlier, was traveling south on the freeway near Hasley Canyon Road at 4:15 a.m. when it “swerved abruptly,” causing the glass to slide onto the roadway and shatter.

Three cars collided as they tried to avoid the glass, Elvira said. No one was injured in the collisions.

CHP Officer Jodi Ransone said that when she arrived at the scene, 15 vehicles with flat tires lined the right shoulder and center divider of the freeway near the spilled glass. Elvira said several other motorists called this morning to complain about flat tires.

The CHP closed the southbound lanes of the freeway while Department of Transportation crews cleaned up the glass. Two lanes were reopened after 5:30 a.m., Elvira said. The freeway was reopened completely at 8:30 a.m., he said.