Eastbound 210 reopened after clean up of overturned rig, spilled produce

All eastbound lanes of the Foothill (210) Freeway in La Canada Flintridge were shut down this morning for about six hours following an accident in which a big rig overturned, spilling tons of produce.

The accident occurred at 1:50 a.m., just west of the Glendale (2) Freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said.

Early estimates indicated that the freeway could remain closed until 2p.m., but progress was made in clearing the scene, and all lanes were reopened shortly before 9a.m., the CHP reported.

The big rig was carrying a supermarket-bound load of produce, including celery and lettuce, Villalobos said.

The driver of the big rig declined to be taken to the hospital, according to the CHP. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

From Gigi Graciette:

The Big-rig crash happened just before 2 am on the 210-East at the transition to the 2 freeway,
leaving a trailer full of fresh produce that had been heading to Trader Joe's all over the freeway.

Romaine lettuce, broccoli and celery - organic at that - all lost after the truck driver told CHP officers something in the road caused him to swerve suddenly. He hit the guardrail which sheared off a part of his truck, sending pieces flying over the side. He wasn't able to control the tractor trailer after that and it flipped over. Luckily he didn't hit anyone else and outside of a few bumps and bruises, the CHP says he wasn't seriously injured.

But the damage was done to the Wednesday morning commute.

Traffic on the 210-E was backed up for miles as people were diverted onto the 2-South.

But by 9 the freeway had reopened and the cleanup was complete.

As for all that produce, it was swept away and not into someone's refrigerator but straight into the garbage.

"Last big crash I saw was a McDonald's food truck", said Officer Ryan Bejar with the California Highway Patrol. "No one is exempt. Whatever is being transported here in California, it has a chance of crashing."

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