Fiery Big Rig Crash Nearly Shuts Down 57 Freeway In Fullerton
FULLERTON (CBSLA) — A fiery big rig crash shut down nearly all lanes of the Orange (57) Freeway in Fullerton, and it could be hours before the freeway reopens.
The crash was first reported at 3:31 a.m. at Imperial Highway, right at the border of Brea and Fullerton, according to the California Highway Patrol. The semi apparently crashed through a center divider wall, then exploded.
The truck ended up on its side in the northbound lanes, with its load of green bottles all over the center lanes, after punching a 50-foot hole in the center divider.
The driver was described as a man in his 30s who suffered some burns. He was taken to a hospital, where he is now in critical condition.
Immediately after the crash, just one southbound lane and the shoulder were open to traffic, and all northbound traffic were diverted off the freeway. Three outer northbound lanes, and two southbound lanes were opened to allow traffic to trickle through.
But with the amount of debris in lanes, and oil spilled in the northbound lanes, authorities expected it to fully reopen around 2 p.m.