Big-rig crash causes big-time traffic jam

-- Greg Risling

A big-rig clipped two cars and landed on a highway divider, causing

delays of more than an hour on the San Diego Freeway during rush hour

Tuesday morning.

No one was seriously injured when the big-rig swerved across two lanes of

traffic, leaving behind a trail of wrecked cars and frightened motorists.

The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. as the driver of the truck

was heading northbound just north of Harbor Boulevard.

Authorities said the driver claims someone driving a red Chevrolet Camaro

cut him off. The driver of the truck estimates he was traveling at about

55 mph when he slammed on his brakes and swerved to avoid the speeding

car in front of him.

Police said the big-rig veered to the right and then back to the left,

crossing into another lane, where it struck a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville

that was sent spinning toward the median. The big-rig continued to plow

through the fast lane, colliding with a 1998 Chevy Lumina.

The truck came to a stop near the center divider with its front end

nearly straddling the concrete wall.

Officials credited the use of seat belts for preventing serious injury to

those involved in the accident.

“There probably would have been some major injuries if seat belts weren’t

used,” said California Highway Patrol spokeswoman JoAnn O’Hair. “The fact

that no one was injured is a surprise.”

The accident caused a major delay for those commuting to Los Angeles.

Traffic was backed up past the Costa Mesa Freeway about two to three

miles. It took about an hour and a half to clear the accident.

“It was stop-and-go for a long time,” said Edward Johansson of Laguna

Niguel, who was caught in the middle of the traffic jam. “You just have

to figure it’s Los Angeles and you are bound to run into traffic.”