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Major
accidents tie up traffic on I-5 and I-15 |
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SIGNONSANDIEGO
8:20 a.m. January 6,
2004
It was a nightmare
commute for anyone traveling on southbound Interstate 5 or the northbound
Interstate 15 this morning as two major collisions virtually shut down two of
the county's major arteries. All lanes of the south
I-5 were closed after a collision involving two big-rigs and two other
vehicles happened just south of Carmel Valley Road. The accident was reported
at about 7:45 a.m., California Highway Patrol officer Alicia Contreras said.
Cars were allowed to pass through only on the center divider. Two lanes on the
southbound side were opened around 9:30 a.m and all lanes were reopened at
about 11 a.m. according to CHP.
Immediately after the mishap, the CHP diverted
trucks traveling south in Oceanside to state Route 78 as there was not enough
room for them to pass through. In addition, truckers were advised of the
detour at the highway scales near the San Onofre border checkpoint. The accident also
forced authorities to close the car pool lane on northbound I-5. Several people to a
hospital for treatment of minor injuries they suffered in the crash. The accident resulted
in an estimated 25 gallons of diesel fuel spilling onto the roadway after one
of the truck's fuel tanks ruptured, a San Diego fire captain said.
Authorities were concerned the fuel could ignite, touching off a brush fire,
and were working to clean it as soon as possible. Emergency crews
contained the fuel spill before it entered the area storm drain system Another accident on the
northbound I-15 involving big-rigs and a recreational vehicle happened just
past 7:30 a.m. and had all but the two left lanes closed just south of Mira
Mesa Boulevard. The lanes were reopened just after 9:15 a.m. according to
CHP. There are reports of
injures in this accident but there is no word yet on how may people are
involved, or what the injuries are, Contreras said. |
