A tanker truck carrying gas overturned and blocked all lanes of southbound Highway 101 near Hellyer Road in San Jose around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Caltrans said all southbound lanes of Highway 101 were blocked at Hellyer Road as hazmat crews arrived to clean up a spill of over 600 tons of gas. The agency estimates the highway will reopen after 4 p.m., but said they expect traffic to remain light due to many people not traveling during the holiday.
California Highway Patrol said the big rig collided with a pickup truck that had slowed down due to flooding in the area. Officers said the driver of the smaller truck was not injured, but the tanker’s driver was taken to the hospital to assess their injuries.
Traffic was being redirected at Yerba Buena Road off-ramp to alternate routes.
Other portions of major roadways in San Jose, such as Highway 87 and Highway 85, have also been closed due to flooding.
Drivers are urged to exercise caution on wet roads and obey roadside officials when given instructions.
Caltrans asks motorists to track current road conditions at roads.dot.ca.gov or by calling 1 (800) 427-7623.