Overturned Big Rig Shuts Down Interstate 10

A westbound lane of Interstate 10 near Chiriaco Summit remained closed this afternoon, as crews continued to clean up from a fiery big rig crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred about 7 p.m. Monday when a big rig hauling 4,500 pounds of methyl parathion, an agricultural pesticide in powder form, collided with at least one other vehicle and caught fire, the CHP reported.

Two people were taken to hospitals with what paramedics described as minor to moderate injuries.

REVISED Both sides of I-10 were initially closed for the cleanup, with eastbound traffic resuming about 11 p.m. Monday. The westbound lane was expected to be reopened by 7 p.m.

Passing motorists got out of their cars and used fire extinguishers to put out the blaze, according to the CHP.

Initial concerns that the pesticide was in a more dangerous liquid form were dispelled, and Riverside County officials said none of the powder leaked.

A contractor was hired to clean up about 380 boxes of the pesticide, according to the fire department.