Crash, Fire Involving 2 Big Rigs Blocks Eastbound Lanes Of I-580 At Altamont Pass
ALAMEDA COUNTY (CBS SF) -- A collision involving two big-rig trucks on eastbound I-580 at the Altamont Pass that sent one of the vehicles over an embankment closed two lanes of the freeway for nearly two hours, according to authorities.
The crash was initally reported at about 12 p.m. when CHP received calls that a big rig had gone off of the freeway and caught on fire. At 12:02 p.m. a severe traffic alert was issued by CHP due to the tractor trailer fire on eastbound I-580 west of Grant Line Road in Alameda County.
It was later determined that one of big-rig trucks had rear ended the second vehicle, sending it off the roadway. The second truck was on fire and ignited grass off the right shoulder of the freeway, but the fire was quickly put out, CHP said.
Video from Chopper 5 showed a massive back-up in eastbound lanes of I-580. The tractor trailer that went off the freeway appeared to be seriously damaged by the fire.
CHP said there were minor injuries caused by the accident but did not elaborate.
Two right lanes of eastbound I-580 were blocked. Authorities were able to open one lane as of about 1:45 p.m. All lanes were reopened around 7:30 p.m., almost seven hours after the crash.
