4-Way Collision Snarls Golden State Freeway

The southbound lanes of the Golden State Freeway north of the Simi Valley Freeway in Sylmar were closed for more than two hours Sunday after a collision involving two big rigs, a police patrol car and a pickup truck, authorities said Monday.

Los Angeles Police Officer Tony Finchen, driver of the patrol car, received minor injuries in the accident, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ralph Elvira. No one else was injured.

The incident occurred about 9 p.m. when a Toyota pickup truck struck the right front of a tractor-trailer truck as the pickup’s driver was changing lanes. The pickup then spun out of control, swerved into another lane and was hit by a tanker truck, Elvira said.

The tanker tried to stop, but apparently skidded and pushed the pickup down the freeway and into the patrol car, investigators said.

About three gallons of diesel fluid spilled onto the freeway from a small hole in the tanker truck, Elvira said. But Los Angeles City firefighters were able to plug the leak in time to prevent a larger spill, he said.

CHP officers diverted traffic to the Foothill Freeway while authorities cleared the Golden State Freeway. Traffic was backed up to the 210 Freeway at one point, Elvira said.