Bridge Collapsed in Desert Center, Trapping Truck Beneath

Updated at 7:21 p.m.

A 30-foot section of a bridge on Interstate 10 collapsed in Desert Center east of Palm Springs on Sunday, trapping a truck driver and causing the shutdown of the freeway in both directions as heavy rains caused flooding in the area, authorities said.

Firefighters responded to the scene and began a cut and rescue operation at 4:43 p.m. on the eastbound side of the freeway near the Tex Wash about a half mile east of Eagle Mountain, according to Jennifer Fuhrman of the Riverside County Fire Department.

The location is about 50 miles west of Blythe and the Arizona border.

The truck driver, who sustained moderate injuries, was freed about 6:50 p.m. and taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, according to the CHP.

A passenger had earlier made it out of the vehicle safely, the CHP reported.

According to a CHP incident log, motorists on the eastbound side of the interstate were being turned around at Chiriaco Summit while those heading west were being turned around at Corn Springs Road.

The bridge collapsed into water that built up during this afternoon’s thunderstorms, according to the CHP.

• --City News Service, photos courtesy of John Hawkins/CalFire Riverside