1 dead, 32 injured after semi-truck crashes through 210 Freeway center divider in Irwindale
One person was killed and dozens of others were injured Saturday morning when a semi-truck crashed through the center divider on the 210 Freeway in Irwindale.
The crash was reported at approximately 8:50 a.m. on the westbound side of the freeway near the Irwindale Avenue on-ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Investigators said the 2016 Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck was traveling in the eastbound lanes when it crashed through the concrete center divider and entered the westbound lanes, striking at least two vehicles. Video from the scene showed that what appeared to be a big rig with Target branding was involved in the incident.
In a news release shared on Monday, CHP officers said that the crash was caused when the driver "made an unsafe turning movement," which caused the truck to "leave the roadway and collide with a guardrail along the south shoulder" before it drove into oncoming lanes.
After the truck drove through the center divider, the driver of a 2015 Ford Transit who was "unable to avoid the Freightliner" collided with the front of the truck. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while two passengers suffered major injuries. Three others in the car sustained minor injuries, police said.
Five other people, who were in two other vehicles involved in the collision, sustained minor injuries and were also transported for treatment. Of those with minor injuries, six people were juveniles.
Authorities said 22 other people declined transportation to hospitals, according to fire officials.
The severity of the crash prompted authorities to close the Irwindale Avenue on-ramp to the westbound 210 Freeway shortly after 9 a.m. At 9:14 a.m., authorities issued a SigAlert, shutting down all westbound lanes between Irwindale Avenue and the 605 Freeway. On the eastbound side, the carpool lane and two left lanes were also blocked during the emergency response and investigation.
The SigAlert was canceled at around 3:40 p.m., reopening all lanes.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The identity of the deceased victim has not yet been released.
A spokesperson for Target shared a statement with CBS LA upon request. It said: "We are deeply saddened by a fatal crash involving a Target trailer near Irwindale, California. Our thoughts and condolences are with all those impacted by this tragic incident, as well as their loved ones. We're working closely with local law enforcement and will refer additional questions to them at this time."
They said that the truck was being transported by a third-party center and that the driver was not a Target employee.
