<\/p>\n
A traffic jam is seen on Interstate 5 where a tractor-trailer dumped lumber near Q Street on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n
Caltrans District 3<\/p>\n
A big rig that spilled a load of lumber on Interstate 5 in downtown Sacramento snarled Friday\u2019s morning commute and backed up traffic for hours as crews cleared the freeway.<\/p>\n
The truck collided with the center divider on southbound I-5 near the J Street exit about 5:35 a.m., heavily damaging the vehicle.<\/p>\n
The crash sent lumber across the southbound lanes and blocked the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes of northbound I-5, according to California Highway Patrol traffic logs reviewed by The Sacramento Bee.<\/p>\n
Caltrans District 3 cameras showed bumper-to-bumper traffic backed up on I-5 near Q Street.<\/p>\n
One person was taken to Sutter Medical Center by the Sacramento Fire Department, the logs showed.<\/p>\n
CHP officers initiated a traffic break to help motorists avoid the debris.<\/p>\n
One lane of northbound I-5 near the scene remained closed at 8:20 a.m. as officers prepared to stop southbound traffic so crews could remove the heavily damaged truck, according to CHP logs.<\/p>\n