Update: Vacaville big-rig crash dumps hundreds of pounds of tomatoes onto I-80

VACAVILLE -- A big-rig jackknifed on I-80 early Monday, dumping its load of hundreds of pounds of tomatoes across the freeway, forcing the shutdown of several lanes,

According to the California Highway Patrol, an off-duty Fairfield police officer called in the crash around 5:04 a.m.  Upon arrival, officers discovered that the big-rig included two open haulers that had dumped its load of hundreds of tomatoes across multiple lanes, forcing the closure of westbound and eastbound near Alamo in Vacaville.

Investigators said the wreck was triggered when the big-rig collided with another vehicle near the Davis Street onramp. The truck's driver lost control and hit the center divide, dumping tomatoes across eastbound lanes. Vehicles trying to drive through the sauce crashed into each other.

 There were some injuries, including broken bones, the CHP said. Three people were hospitalized, including the driver of the big-rig, who suffered minor injuries.

Two concrete freeway barriers were also damaged and needed repair.

The CHP said several lanes would be closed for hours as crews cleaned up the mess.  The agency was advising drivers to seek alternate routes as the crash backed up traffic for miles in both directions.

By 8 a.m., the left and center eastbound lanes remain blocked, but the second lane from left had reopened. The left westbound lane remains blocked.   

As of 11:27 a.m., CHP said all eastbound lanes had reopened. However, the left westbound lane remained closed over an hour later, authorities said. That westbound lane was finally cleared shortly before 3 p.m.