Truck Crashes Cause 2 Freeway Tie-Ups

Two trucks overturned early Saturday, causing tie-ups on the Golden State Freeway in Pacoima and Santa Clarita but no serious injuries.

In Pacoima, a propane tanker tipped over at about 7:15 a.m. after a car entered the freeway from the right northbound shoulder, the California Highway Patrol said. The truck was traveling at about 50 mph and could not stop before colliding with the car, Officer Bruce Ferrier said.

The driver, Vartan Avedissian, said his braking ability was hampered by a light drizzle that filmed the road.

The car was not seriously damaged, but about half of the tanker’s 700-gallon load spilled. Three traffic lanes were closed until about 2:30 p.m. as crews cleaned up the spill and righted the truck. Traffic was backed up through Burbank.

In Santa Clarita, a truck carrying grapes overturned while heading south just before 5 a.m., Ferrier said.

Realizing his brakes had failed, the driver turned onto the shoulder in an effort to slow down, Ferrier said. The truck hit a bump and overturned.

The driver was sent to a hospital for observation, but his injuries did not appear serious, Ferrier said.

Two southbound lanes remained closed until about 2:30 p.m.