Semi-Truck Collision With Caltrans Vehicle Sparks Fire, Shuts Down 605 Freeway Transition in Avocado Heights

AVOCADO HEIGHTS, Calif., Dec. 12 (KNN) — A fiery crash involving a semi-truck and a Caltrans work vehicle early Wednesday morning caused extensive closures on the northbound 605 Freeway transition to the 60 Freeway.

The collision occurred at approximately 3:18 a.m. when the semi-truck struck a Caltrans vehicle performing maintenance work on the transition road. Following the impact, the semi-truck veered into a fence and burst into flames. The female driver managed to escape the vehicle and confirmed that no other individuals were inside the truck. She was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) responded to the scene. LACoFD extinguished the fire, while CHP issued a SigAlert and implemented hard closures of the transition road to both eastbound and westbound 60 Freeway, along with the #2 and #3 lanes of the northbound 605 Freeway south of the 60.

Oil spilled across the transition road and freeway lanes, prompted additional cleanup efforts. Public works crews were requested to assist with traffic control and oil removal, while heavy-duty tow services were dispatched to clear the wreckage.

Caltrans estimated the closures would last at least two hours as crews worked to reopen the roadway.

No injuries to Caltrans workers were reported, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Randy Dominguez, Video Journalist / KNN