Crime & Safety

Overturned Big Rig Keeps Southbound 605 Closed During Rush Hour

An overturned big rig leaked cargo fuel onto the freeway prompting an overnight closure of the southbound side of the 605 Freeway.

Cleanup continued this morning on the southbound lanes of the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway which remains closed in Lakewood this morning after a collision that sent one person to the hospital and caused a big rig to overturn and spill thousands of gallons of fuel.

The accident occurred near the Carson Street exit around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos. All traffic was being diverted at Carson Street, according to the CHP.

However, the northbound carpool lane which was also closed after the accident reopened just before 5:45 a.m., according to the CHP.

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A CHP officer at the scene told a news videographer that the accident occurred when the big rig collided with an SUV entering the southbound lanes from Carson Street.

A Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman said 3,500 gallons spilled from the big rig, which was carrying 8,800 gallons. What remained was to be pumped from the big rig.

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Los Angeles County and Long Beach firefighters used sand and roadside soil to build berms to stop the spread of the fuel, a news videographer reported from the scene. An L.A. County Fire supervisor said one person was transported to a hospital in unknown condition.

Villalobos said all southbound lanes would remain closed until further notice.

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