5 Freeway Box Truck Crash Takes Out Guardrail, Closes Lanes in Santa Clarita

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Jan. 8 (KNN) — A box truck destroyed a stretch of guardrail as it lost control and crashed on the 5 Freeway Monday evening, injuring at least one person and prompting a closure of truck lanes.

The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Fire Department crews were dispatched to the truck lanes on the southbound 5 Freeway and Sierra Highway in the Newhall Pass shortly before 7:30 p.m. for a Penske box truck that had collided with the right side guardrail. The truck lanes were due to be closed for approximately three hours per CHP.

CHP requested Caltrans to set a hard closure for crews to unload and upload the items from the damaged truck to another and tow it away.

Per the unnamed driver who declined statement on camera said he has been driving for about 30 years and never been involved in an accident. He mentioned he thought he had seen something on the road and made him step on the brakes. He started losing control while he was driving and veered off to the right shoulder.

He said the box truck started bouncing from the guardrail to the other lane of traffic and came to a stop after colliding with a freeway pillar, and was glad he didn’t collide with anyone else. He added that the passenger was conscious and breathing when he was transported by ambulance with unknown injuries.

A crew from a tow truck company arrived to remove oil or possible gas from a tank before they towed the truck away. A large oil spill is seen in Key News Network video from the scene.

Oscar Sol, Video Journalist / KNN