Big Rig Crash On Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Takes Several Hours to Clear

SAN RAFAEL, CA – A big rig crash Wednesday night on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge resulted in traffic backups on Marin's U.S. 101 as lanes of eastbound Interstate Highway 580 were intermittently closed until nearly 2 a.m. Thursday, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The crash occurred at 6:55 p.m. near a construction zone on the incline of the bridge as 55-year-old Michael Duwayne Jones allowed his 2008 Kenworth big rig — towing a 2003 tank trailer — to drift to the right toward a temporary cement k-rail, according to a statement from CHP Marin Area Spokesman Andrew Barclay.

"The right front of the truck collided with the k-rail, causing it to drive up on top of the cement dividers," Barclay said. "The truck and trailer traveled approximately 100 yards before the truck overturned onto its right side, blocking the shoulder, and the trailer overturned onto its left side, blocking the number two (slow) lane."

CHP and the San Rafael Fire Department responded to the scene, where they found Jones uninjured and able to exit the truck on his own.

Although the fast lane remained clear for traffic immediately following the crash, intermittent closures of all eastbound lanes were required throughout the night as multiple heavy-duty tow truck crews worked to right the truck and trailer and remove them from the span, according to Barclay.

"During these closures, traffic was reported as being backed up onto U.S.-101 from the collision scene," Barclay said. "Fortunately, both the tank on the back of the truck as well as the tank trailer were empty of any contents and nothing was spilled onto the road or the bay below."

All lanes were reopened at about 1:55 a.m. Thursday once the truck and trailer were removed and all debris was cleared.

(Photo/Caltrans staff via Wikimedia)