Jackknifed big rig brings 210 Freeway commutes to a halt again

PASADENA — For the second time in two days, a crash involving an overturned big rig blocked westbound morning traffic on the Foothill (210) Freeway through Pasadena, officials said.
The wreck was first reported about 2:25 a.m. on the transition road where the westbound 210 Freeway forks with the Ventura (134) Freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said.
The westbound 210 Freeway connector road to the westbound 210 Freeway remained closed until about 9:15 a.m., according to the CHP.
Officials re-opened one lane of the connector road from the eastbound 134 Freeway to the westbound 210 Freeway about 7:45 a.m., and the entire transition road at about 9 a.m., officials said.
The wreck involved three big rigs altogether and was being investigated as two separate collisions, Villalobos said.
“A big rig was taking transition road and struck a light pole and subsequently jackknifed,” he said.
Just after the first crash, a second big rig crashed into the overturned truck, and a third big rig collided with the second, Villalobos said.
One of the disabled big rigs leaked about 70 gallons of diesel fuel into the roadway, he added, further complicating the clean-up of the crash scene.
“The good thing about this is there were no injuries,” Villalobos said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, and it was not clear if the rainy weather played a role.
“Roadway condition is one of the factors that the officers will look into,” Villalobos said. “(But) we really don’t like to say rain causes collisions. It’s the way people drive in the rain.”
Whether the weather is wet or dry, drivers need to make sure they are travelling at a safe speed for the conditions, he said.
Another jackknifed big rig at the same location shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday forced the closure of the westbound 210 Freeway transition road to the westbound 210 Freeway for more than three hours, according to CHP officer Ed Jacobs.
“We’re still expecting rain, so we’re reminding everyone you can’t drive the same speed as you do during the dry season,” Villalobos said.
He added that motorists should make sure windshield wipers are working, check for proper tread on tires and leave plenty of following space when out on the road.

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