Big Rig Crash Creates Traffic Nightmare On Northbound 405 Freeway
Update 10:45 p.m.: All northbound lanes have been reopened.
Update 9:50 p.m.: Five of the six northbound lanes have been reopened.
VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A multi-vehicle crash left one person injured, jack-knifed a big rig and caused gallons of fuel to spill all over the northbound 405 Freeway Thursday evening.
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Several cars collided on the freeway, near the Ventura (101) Freeway interchange at approximately 5:25 p.m. The collision caused a big rig's cab to separate from its trailer and the fuel tank to split open, spilling all over the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
All lanes of the freeway were initially blocked as crews worked to clean up the diesel fuel, authorities reported. Drivers in the height of the rush-hour commute were backed up for miles. The interchange between the 405 and the 101 freeways is one of the nation's busiest.
Two lanes were reopened by 7:30 and the CHP said they'd reopen all lanes by 10 p.m. By 9:50 p.m. five of the freeway's six lanes were reopened but traffic remained stagnant.
All lanes were reopened by 10:45 p.m.
A passenger in one of the cars involved was injured but authorities did not elaborate on their condition.
Authorities received reports that the crash was caused by a hit-and-run driver. No suspect has been apprehended.
