I-10 Traffic Jam Sours EB Drive As Lemon Juice Spills Across Roadway

CACTUS CITY, CA — Drivers heading eastbound on I-10 were soured after getting stuck for several hours following a big rig tanker truck crash. The driver of that truck was injured and taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

At 6:45 a.m., a 40-foot tanker hauling lemon juice overturned for as yet unknown reasons, blocking both lanes of eastbound traffic, according to California Highway Patrol. At least one person was injured during the incident, according to CHP.

A SIG Alert for at least one lane was initiated due to cleanup measures.

The tanker truck was on its side, facing the wrong way and leaking a vast quantity of lemon juice from its tanks, dispatch reported. The tanks needed to be siphoned before the vehicle could be properly righted.

Cal Fire responded to the scene, where one person, believed to be the driver, had suffered moderate injuries in the crash. They were transported by ground to a nearby hospital, a spokesperson said.

Eastbound Interstate 10 near the Cactus City Rest Area was down one lane at 10:30 a.m., as the #2 lane was closed during the cleanup. There was no mention of how long the closure would last as of this report.

By 10:40 a.m., traffic was once again moving through the area.