I-15 Closed for Hours After Crash of Truck Hauling Poisonous Chemical

A tractor-trailer rig carrying poisons roared down an embankment and crashed along Interstate 15 on Wednesday, closing the Mojave Desert highway while authorities removed the chemicals.

The California Highway Patrol closed the major thoroughfare between Victorville and Barstow shortly after the 5:15 a.m. crash, said Officer Steve Hobart.

The northbound lanes were reopened after about eight hours and the southbound lanes after about 10 hours.

A hazardous materials team was called to the scene because the truck was hauling a 100-pound cylinder of hydrogen fluoride anhydrous, a deadly chemical used in refining oil.

There was no indication that the cylinder had ruptured or that any of the poison was leaking, but authorities took precautions because of the dangerous nature of the chemical.

“It’s pretty deadly stuff. It will eat right through the skin,” Hobart said.

The cause of the big-rig crash was not immediately known and no other vehicles were involved, Hobart said. Driver Edward Hawkins, 50, of Long Beach suffered scrapes and was taken to Victor Valley Hospital in Victorville, Hobart said.