Overturned Big-Rig Spouts Fuel On California Highway: 'Traffic Nightmare'

A major traffic jam hit the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday morning after a big-rig truck overturned and spilled fuel on the highway. According to NBC Bay Area , the incident occurred near the ramp connecting northbound Interstate 238 to southbound Interstate 880 in San Lorenzo, blocking all lanes and causing a significant backup into Castro Valley.

The truck crashed into a center median and rolled over just after 1:30 a.m., according to Alameda County fire crews who responded to the scene. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, the wreckage and fuel spill blocked all lanes for several hours , with no initial estimated time for reopening the connector.

The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig-alert around 2:30 a.m., advising motorists to use alternate routes. By 7 a.m., traffic was reported to be a mess, and NBC Bay Area reported that it could take four to five hours to clear the freeway.

The truck was leaking diesel fuel "from the system, not the tanks," according to the Alameda County Fire battalion chief. Less than 40 gallons leaked, and it was described as "not too bad," with no fuel entering the storm drain. However, the situation was treated as a hazmat incident.

The driver of the big-rig told Alameda County Fire officials that he fell asleep at the wheel, leading to the crash. The California Highway Patrol estimated that the lanes would reopen around 1:30 p.m.