Big-Rig Crash Stalls Traffic on 405 Freeway for Hours
Commuters on the San Diego Freeway suffered through a long, hot afternoon Thursday after a big-rig truck flipped over, blocking traffic in both directions for hours.
The wreck happened about 2:20 p.m. near the Bellflower Boulevard exit in Long Beach, California Highway Patrol officials said.
The truck, traveling north, collided with several vehicles. Swerving wildly, it smashed into the center divider. Fuel spilled onto the road.
The truck’s driver was thrown from the cab. One person was taken by ambulance to Community Hospital of Long Beach, but whether it was the driver was unclear.
CHP officials said they had no information about the driver’s condition or injuries to other motorists.
The rig’s wreckage spread across six lanes -- three on each side of the divider, including both carpool lanes. Efforts to remove the truck were delayed by having to take down a freeway sign damaged in the crash, authorities said.
By rush hour, northbound traffic had backed up to the Orange County line. Southbound traffic slowed near the Artesia Freeway. Two lanes were reopened about 6:40 p.m. -- one in each direction.
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