Morning Commute Nightmare: Multiple Crashes Bring Freeway Traffic to a Standstill
Multiple Crashes on 5 Freeway Cause Chaos
Motorists on the 5 Freeway had "such a terrible drive" Wednesday morning, according to KTLA traffic reporter Ginger Chan, after multiple crashes involving semi-trucks brought traffic to a virtual standstill.
First Crash Reported
The first crash was reported shortly before 5 a.m. on the southbound span of the 5 at Roxford Street in Sylmar and involved a big rig and another vehicle that flipped over the center divider and ended up on the northbound side, according to KTLA 5’s Rich Prickett in Sky5. The scene was described as "pretty dramatic" as first responders arrived at the scene and commuters slowly maneuvered around the crash site.
Second Crash Reported
About two hours later, at 6:45 a.m., a second crash involving a big rig occurred near the 5 Freeway’s interchange with the 118 Freeway in the city of San Fernando. Video from Sky5 showed a semi-truck with a mangled front end, with the other vehicle that appeared to be involved in the collision seen not far away on the shoulder of the freeway.
Injuries and Damage
The driver of the big rig was extricated from the truck by first responders and was rushed to a hospital, reportedly in critical condition. The extent of the damage to the other vehicle was not immediately clear. The conditions of the motorists involved in the collision are not known.
Traffic Chaos
A SigAlert was issued for the area, indicating that the backup on the southbound side of the 5 extended past the 14 Freeway, which itself was backed up to the Sand Canyon exit immediately after the crash. As of 8:15 a.m., the delays on the 14 South extended all the way back to Soledad Canyon Road.
Additional Incidents
To add to the early morning complications along the 5 Freeway, a car fire was reported on the northbound side not far from the first crash, creating another delay for drivers heading out of the San Fernando Valley.
Conclusion
The morning commute on the 5 Freeway was marked by chaos and congestion due to multiple crashes involving semi-trucks, causing significant delays for motorists. The situation is expected to last until at least 9:15 a.m., with a SigAlert in place for the affected stretch of the freeway.
FAQs
Q: What caused the multiple crashes on the 5 Freeway?
A: The cause of the crashes is not specified in the article, but it is likely related to a combination of factors such as weather, driver error, and mechanical failure.
Q: What was the extent of the damage to the vehicles involved?
A: The extent of the damage to the vehicles involved in the collisions is not specified in the article, but it is reported that one semi-truck had a mangled front end and another vehicle was seen on the shoulder of the freeway.
Q: Were there any injuries reported?
A: Yes, the driver of the semi-truck was extricated from the truck and rushed to a hospital, reportedly in critical condition. The conditions of the other motorists involved in the collision are not known.
