Overturned big rig dangles from Interstate 80 bridge, blocks eastbound traffic in Nevada County

Traffic on Interstate Highway 80 near the Nevada state line was blocked by an overturned big rig dangling from a bridge on Friday, authorities said.

The crash happened at about 11:20 a.m. on eastbound I-80 near Floriston in Nevada County, about six miles west of the state line. An image of the flipped semi from the California Highway Patrol showed the big rig's tractor unit dangling over an overpass. 

The truck driver was ejected from the truck and landed on an embankment below the bridge, the CHP said. The driver was airlifted to a hospital with major injuries. 

Officers said it's believed that speed and rain were factors. They said the truck hit the barrier, which caused it to turn on its side, and the driver was ejected from the side of the truck. 

Eastbound I-80 traffic was originally being turned around at Hirschdale Road and was later turned back at Overland Trail west of Union Mills, according to Caltrans.

There was no estimated time for reopening the roadway as of 3:30 p.m., but Caltrans' website said one lane was open.

The trailer was removed from the truck, but crews still had a lot of cleanup to do.  

People were being urged to avoid the area and Caltrans reminded drivers to slow down during Friday's wet weather in the Sierra.