SB 5 Freeway Closed After Big Rig Crash Spills Tons Of Cheese, Diesel
SUN VALLEY (CBSLA) — Crates of shredded cheese and fuel spilled across all lanes of the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway after a big rig crashed and caught fire.
The crash happened at about 3:40 a.m. in the southbound lanes at Penrose Street when the driver of the semi somehow lost control and crashed, separating the cab from the cargo and sparking a fire.
The driver was taken to a hospital in good condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A load of cheese was inside the trailer, which ripped open from the impact of the crash. Boxes of shredded cheese were dumped into lanes, along with diesel that got into storm drains.
Firefighters are on the scene extinguishing the flames, while a hazmat team has been called out to help clean up the diesel spill. Caltrans was also called out to check the structural integrity of the pedestrian overpass that was struck.
Traffic was being diverted off the Freeway at Lankershim Boulevard. Because the freeway is the main route from the Santa Clarita Valley into Los Angeles, traffic has backed up for five miles.
According to California Highway Patrol, the carpool and fast lane were reopened just before 9 a.m. All lanes were cleared and reopened by noon.
