SerpApi.Org
Interstate 80 reopened Tuesday morning after a chain-reaction crash involving two big rigs and 10 vehicles shut down westbound traffic for about 16 hours near Blue Canyon, authorities said.
The crash happened about 1:50 p.m. Monday near the Drum Forebay Road off-ramp in Placer County, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least two people suffered major injuries and several others sustained minor injuries.
Investigators said one of the big rigs crashed into multiple vehicles before going over an embankment. During the initial response, CHP dispatcher logs described the truck’s cab as having been “completely ripped off” in the collision.
The crash blocked all westbound lanes of Interstate 80 for hours as emergency crews treated the injured, recovered damaged vehicles and cleaned up a significant diesel fuel spill, CHP said. Traffic was turned around at Nyack while Caltrans and CHP hazardous materials crews worked through the night.
One lane reopened Monday evening. Caltrans announced shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday that all westbound lanes had reopened, and by 7:35 a.m. officials said the highway was fully cleared.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. CHP has not released the identities of those injured.
