SAN DIMAS >> A truck driver died early Saturday after his big rig rear-ended another truck and burst into flames, prompting the closure of all northbound lanes of the freeway that was expected to last into the afternoon, authorities said.
The driver of the second truck suffered apparently minor injuries in the 5:25 a.m. crash on the northbound 57 Freeway, south of Auto Centre Drive, California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
“Two big rigs were involved in a collision. One of them became engulfed (in flames),” Polizzi said.
The driver of the burning big rig was pronounced dead at the scene, fire Capt. Tim Wiehe said.
Because the body was badly burned, the age and gender of the driver were not available, he said.
The fire burned the cab portion of the truck, which was hauling an empty trailer, Wiehe said.
Paramedics took the second driver, a man appearing to be in his 50s, to a hospital with injuries not considered to be major the captain said.
Witnesses reported what were described as “explosions” coming from the burning truck, according to CHP logs.
The sounds were likely that of the burning big rig’s tires popping, as neither truck was believed to be transporting flammable or explosive materials, Wiehe said. It was not clear what cargo had been on the flatbed trailer of the big rig that was rear-ended.
Both directions of the 57 Freeway were initially closed following the crash, Polizzi said. The southbound lanes were reopened about 6:45 a.m., however the northbound lanes were expected to remain closed through 2 p.m. as officials investigated the crash scene and worked to clear the roadway. A hazardous material crew was summoned to deal with about 75 gallons of oil spilled onto the roadway.
The crash was being investigated by officers from the CHP’s Baldwin Park office.