Big rig crash leaves one dead on 210

Pre-dawn traffic on the Foothill (210) Freeway came to a halt and travel along Foothill Boulevard was gridlocked after a big rig accident closed the eastbound lanes of the freeway on Thursday. Traffic congestion continued throughout the day and into evening rush hour as lanes were periodically closed and tow truck drivers worked to remove the big rigs.

According to California Highway Patrol, about 4 a.m. an accident involving two big rig trucks occurred on the eastbound 210. When emergency personnel arrived, they found one semi-trailer truck had rear ended another. The driver of one of the big rigs involved, a 56-year-old Ontario man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver reported no injury.

“At least one lane was open all day,” said CHP Sgt. Craig Heller. “Tow trucks were at the scene all day.”

“It’s was a mess,” said Sgt. Tom Lorenz, Glendale Police Department.

Glendale police and public works redirected traffic during the early morning rush hour as some traffic was diverted at the eastbound Pennsylvania Avenue off-ramp to Montrose Avenue, then north to La Crescenta Avenue to reenter the 210. Big rigs and commuters were seen driving down Prospect Avenue in front of Crescenta Valley High School and past La Crescenta Elementary School as they made their way to the La Crescenta Avenue freeway entrance.