Damaged Toll Booths May Not Be Reopened By Monday Commute
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Caltrans officials issued a warning to Monday commuters who use the Bay Bridge, the four toll booths heavily damaged in a deadly weekend crash may not be repaired and reopened in time for the morning rush hour.
Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus delivered that warning Sunday evening to give the thousands of commuters who used the bridge time to make alternative plans for Monday morning.
Toll Booth 14 was completely destroyed in the crash and must be rebuilt from the ground up. Meanwhile, Caltrans crews were working to repair the other booths damaged in the crash.
"We are doing the best we can, but we can't give any kind of firm estimate as to when they (the other booths) will re-open," Haus said. "If those booths are closed, it's going to have an adverse effect on traffic."
Around 5 a.m. Saturday, a box truck crashed into a line ofvehicles at the toll plaza on the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge, then slammed into a toll booth, California Highway Patrol officials said.
The crash killed toll booth worker, Si Si Han, a 46-year-old wife and mother. She was working in Toll Booth 14 at the time of the crash.
Daniel Berk, 32, of Foster City, the alleged driver of the truck,was thrown from the vehicle and seriously injured, according to the CHP. Hewas arrested on suspicion of DUI and manslaughter.
A passenger in the box truck was ejected, suffering injuries, andwas taken to Highland Hospital, as was the driver. Other motorists involved in the crash suffered mild to moderate injuries and also were taken to Highland Hospital.
The crash wreaked havoc on traffic Saturday. The northboundInterstate Highway 880 to westbound Interstate Highway 80 connector wasclosed for hours, as well as the bus lanes, the HOV lane from westbound Highway 80 and the HOV lane from northbound Highway 880.