Collision Causes Big Rig To Burst into Flames Blocking the I-10 Freeway Lanes

January 18, 2012 - According to reports a collision involving a big rig caused the trailer to burst into flames, closing lanes of the I-10 Freeway.

According to the California Highway Patrol the collision involving three vehicles occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. Tuesday in the westbound lanes of the I-10 Freeway at Monte Vista in Montclair.

The accident occurred when the driver of a Mercedes lost control of the vehicle hitting a big rig, which caused the driver to swerve to the left, hitting a Nissan, the California Highway Patrol said. The big rig and the Nissan both struck the center divider, with one of the big rig’s diesel tanks landing in the eastbound lanes of the freeway and rupturing.

According to the California Highway Patrol officials, this is what caused the big rig to catch fire, which took more than an hour for firefighters to extinguish. The driver suffered injuries and was airlifted to County USC Medical Center, CHP officials said.

One of the drivers of the other vehicles had to be extracted from the vehicle by rescue crews, using the Jaws of Life. The driver was then airlifted to Loma Linda Hospital. Hazmat personnel and crews using cranes were on the scene, according to CHP and both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the I-10 Freeway were closed and reopened at approximately 6:30 a.m. No word on burn injuries as of yet.