UPDATE: Big Rig Crash on 10 Freeway Left Two People Hurt (VIDEO)

A crash involving a big rig and a pickup truck today closed the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway in Baldwin Park and left two people hurt, the California Highway Patrol reported.

According to Kerri Rivas, spokesperson with the CHP office in Baldwin Park, at approximately 7:19 a.m., Elias Rivas, a 59-year-old resident of Carson, was traveling in a semi tractor trailer on the I-10 eastbound freeway, west of Baldwin Park Boulevard, at an unknown speed, in the #3 lane. 

Miguel Martinez, a 29-year-old from Rialto was traveling in a 2011 Ford tank truck behind Mr. Rivas' location, in the #2 lane, at approximately 45 mph. 

For unknown reasons, the tractor trailer veered to the left and struck the center divider wall.  The tractor trailer continued out of control and proceeded to jack knife across the freeway in a south-easterly direction. 

Mr. Martinez could not stop his vehicle in time and collided with the tractor trailer's driver side door.  The tractor trailer came to rest blocking three lanes of traffic, facing in a southerly direction. 

The Ford tank truck came to rest in the #1 lane and was facing in an easterly direction.  Approximately 50 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the tractor trailer's gas tank.

The California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Fire Department were dispatched to the scene of the collision.  Both Mr. Rivas and Mr. Martinez were transported to Los Angeles County USC Medical Hospital with head and bodily injuries.

Both parties were conscious at the time of transportation.  Due to excessive fluids spilled on the freeway, all lanes of the freeway were closed at the scene of the collision and traffic was diverted to the nearest off ramps and the I-605 freeway. 

A sig alert was issued for approximately three hours on the I-10 eastbound freeway, from the I-605 freeway to Puente Avenue.  Cal Trans was at the collision scene to clean up the diesel fuel and all lanes of the freeway were open at 1000 hours.

Any witnesses to this collision are encouraged to contact the during normal business hours at 626-338-1164 or after hours contact the Los Angeles Communications Center at 323-982-4900.

With information from City News Service

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