Runaway Big Rig Makes Dramatic Stop On I-15 In The Inland Empire

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A big rig veered from the southbound I-15 roadway Monday while driving down the Cajon Pass, and was forced to use the escape ramp, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Just after 8:15 a.m., CHP dispatch operators reported the big rig had veered from the southbound freeway onto the "runaway truck ramp" designed to halt out-of-control vehicles. As of 9:30 a.m., CHP had called crews to bring shovels and absorbent materials to address a puncture in the vehicle's 70-gallon fuel tank.

Those on the scene at 9:30 a.m. were using dirt from the ramp for the cleanup. No fuel was spilled in the dirt or waterway; all was on the asphalt shoulder, they said. A tow truck was called to the scene to remove the big rig at 10:30 a.m.

No other information was immediately available on what led the driver to use the escape ramp, and no injuries were reported from the scene of the halted runaway truck.