Traffic Jam: Overturned Fruit Truck Backs Up 5 Freeway

BOYLE HEIGHTS, CA — A big rig loaded with 4,000 lbs. of fruit overturned Monday on the transition from the Golden State (5) Freeway to the San Bernardino (10) Freeway, causing a SigAlert, authorities said.

The accident was reported at 2:10 a.m. on the transition from the southbound Golden State Freeway to the eastbound San Bernardino Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The SigAlert was issued at 2:24 a.m. for lanes No. 1 and 2 of the transition road while the CHP waited for a truck to right the big rig, the CHP said.

At 3:23 a.m., the CHP reported the trailer's walls had split and it called for as many dump trucks as possible to unload it. The SigAlert was extended.

A pole also fell down when the big rig overturned and Caltrans crews were sent to deal with it, the CHP said. Efforts to clear the scene were continuing after daybreak, and traffic remained backed up as of 11 a.m. Monday.

City News Service; Photo courtesy of CALTRANS