Interstate 5 traffic in San Joaquin County is heavily congested Wednesday morning after a fiery multi-vehicle crash that involved a big rig.
California Highway Patrol logs indicate the crash was reported north of Stockton on northbound I-5 at the Highway 12 off-ramp around 5:34 a.m.
Details on the crash have not been confirmed, but Caltrans’ traffic map as of 7 a.m. shows congestion from Highway 12 to Hammer Lane.
KCRA 3’s Mike Teselle arrived at the scene shortly before 7:20 a.m. and observed a burnt big rig and a pickup truck with apparent signs of damage. Three other burned-out vehicles could be seen. CHP confirmed that four vehicles in total were part of the crash.
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CHP told TeSelle that all people involved in the crash were able to walk away with minor injuries at most.
CHP issued a SigAlert in connection with this crash, which means that extended closures or delays are expected. At 8:25 a.m., Caltrans said the No. 1 and 2 lanes are reopened, but the No. 3 lane remains closed. There is no estimated time of reopening for that lane.
KCRA 3 is working to gather details on what led to the reported crash. A CHP officer at the scene said that while the cause is unconfirmed, it may have stemmed from a lane change issue.
TeSelle spoke with the big rig driver, Amrit Singh, who said he was carrying mail. Singh said a vehicle in front of him moved to the left lane, and he couldn’t stop in time, causing the big rig to slide off the road. Singh said he got out of the big rig and helped others get out of the vehicles before the fire spread.
“Thank, thank, thank you, God, that everyone is safe,” Singh said.
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