Wrecked big rig cleared from interstate 10 eastbound, east of Coachella Valley
UPDATE: According to the California Highway Patrol, wreckage was cleared from both eastbound lanes of interstate 10 by 7:10 Saturday night, and eastbound lanes are now open to traffic. A hazardous materials crew was called to the scene to help with cleanup efforts. No injuries were reported, and there was no word yet on how the crash happened.
INITIAL REPORT:
The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert Saturday following a crash involving a semi truck loaded with tomatoes. The lane closure was expected to last until approximately 6:00 p.m. to allow CalTrans crews time to repair a damaged guardrail.
RIVCO: WB I-10 at Frontage Road exit 162. Traffic incident, lane #2 blocked. Use alternate route to avoid delays. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/JkrdIuIykO
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) May 25, 2019
Police were notified of the wreck at 11:54 p.m. Friday on Interstate 10 eastbound just east of the Cactus City rest stop. The wreck’s location was described as near Frontage Road near mile marker 75.2.
Traffic was backed up Saturday afternoon for more than 8 miles in the eastbound lanes. Westbound lanes were not affected.
The CHP says the truck’s roof was ripped open. It was off the road down an embankment near a bridge, but debris was blocking eastbound lanes for some time.
Riverside County Environmental Health was called to the scene to help with clean up. The number two slow lane was closed to allow for that cleanup effort which continued well into Saturday afternoon.
