Crime & Safety
Severe 5 Freeway Crash Jams Traffic For Miles When Semi-Truck Flips In OC: SigAlert
A semi-truck overturned on the Golden State (5) Freeway and spilled a possibly hazardous material, forcing mass lane closures Friday.
IRVINE, CA — A semi-truck flipped and spilled a possible hazardous material across the lanes of the Golden State (5) Freeway, prompting the closure of most northbound lanes in Irvine Friday morning and a headache for morning commuters.
The incident happened at Jamboree Road at around 6 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
According to ABC7, the crash caused the entire freeway except for the HOV lane to be blocked, creating a significant backup for drivers trying to get through the area.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
While California Highway Patrol officers said the closure would stay in place until 10 a.m. initially, they later reported that lanes would be closed until further notice.
While it was not immediately clear why the semi-truck overturned, the crash happened during strong Santa Ana winds currently battering Southern California.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Strong winds can sometimes cause high-profile vehicles such as semi-trucks to tip onto their side.
It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in the crash.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.