Semi-Truck Driver Killed In Fiery Crash, I-805 Shut Down For Hours In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A fiery big rig crash shut down a stretch of Interstate 805 Tuesday, leaving the driver dead and commuters stuck in gridlock.

The southbound tractor-trailer veered off the roadway and slammed into a row of crash-cushion barrels shortly after 6 a.m. near the transition to Interstate 8, just south of Friars Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Flames fully engulfed the semi-truck at the freeway transition, and crews worked to extinguish the flames, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The trucker died at the scene of the crash, CHP Officer Michael Wessendorf said. The victim's name was withheld pending family notification.

A combination of diesel and oil entered a storm drain, but the spill did not affect any nearby waterways, Wessendorf said.

The fire shut down a stretch of southbound I-805. All southbound lanes were stopped south of Murray Ridge Road, causing major traffic backups, according to the CHP. A SigAlert was issued for the area.

"Please drive with caution if you are passing through or take an alternate route to avoid the area," fire officials said on social media. "Smoke may be visible from nearby neighborhoods."

By 6:30 a.m., Caltrans was preparing to fully close the southbound side of the freeway for about five hours, the CHP said.

Traffic on northbound I-805 was backed up from state Route 54 to I-8. Drivers heading south were advised to use state Route 163 as an alternate route and to expect delays.

The southbound I-805 on-ramp from Murray Ridge Road and the southbound I-805 on-ramp from Mesa College Drive were also closed while investigators were at the scene.

As of 8 a.m., all lanes except the left lane remained closed while crews inspected the bridge, according to Caltrans. Connectors from southbound I-805 to the I-8 were also closed.

As of 3:30 p.m., the CHP asked motorists to continue to use alternative routes.

All lanes reopened to traffic by 6:30 p.m., according to Caltrans.

The CHP's San Diego Area Office was investigating the crash.

Witnesses were asked to contact the CHP's
San Diego Area Office at 858-293-6000.