ANAHEIM : Spilled Load Snarls Santa Ana Freeway

Dozens of industrial-strength batteries and a toppled overhead freeway sign cluttered the Santa Ana Freeway for hours Thursday after a tractor-trailer rig crashed into the center divider and spilled its cargo, authorities said.

Traffic was backed up for nearly 15 miles on the northbound side until the freeway was re-opened eight hours later, California Highway Patrol spokesman Mo Baker said.

The truck was traveling north on the freeway about 8 a.m. when it apparently blew a tire, swerved across the freeway, struck the center divider and overturned near the Magnolia Avenue off-ramp, Baker said.

The truck’s cargo of batteries was strewn across the other side of the freeway, he said. The impact of the crash also loosened an overhead freeway sign, which came tumbling down.

A crane was called out to hoist the toppled sign and to help pick up the 5-foot batteries, which were leaking acid. Baker said the freeway was reopened just after 4 p.m.

The driver of the truck, who was not identified, appeared to have sustained injuries, but it was not clear as to their extent, Baker said.