A woman was killed and 32 other people were injured after a semi-truck crossed the center divider on a Southern California freeway and crashed into traffic. This incident involved a Target Trailer Semi-Truck Involved in Fatal California Freeway Pileup.
The deadly crash happened shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday on the 210 Freeway in Irwindale, near Irwindale Avenue.
Details of the Target Trailer Semi-Truck Involved in Fatal California Freeway Pileup
According to the California Highway Patrol, the big rig was traveling eastbound when it crashed through the center median and entered the westbound lanes.
The truck then struck multiple vehicles, triggering a chaotic multi-vehicle crash that shut down the freeway for hours.
A woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released her name.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said 32 people were injured. Ten people were taken to hospitals, including two in critical condition and eight with minor injuries.
Six of the injured patients were juveniles.
Another 22 people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance transport.
Emergency officials described the crash as a mass-casualty incident because of the number of people hurt.
Video and photos from the scene showed a large semi-truck jackknifed across the freeway near the divider. A white van and other damaged vehicles could be seen near the wreckage.
The truck appeared to be carrying a Target trailer. Target later said the trailer was being transported by a third-party carrier and that the driver was not a Target employee.
The company said it was deeply saddened by the fatal crash and was cooperating with law enforcement.
The crash forced all westbound lanes to close between Irwindale Avenue and the 605 Freeway. Several eastbound lanes were also blocked during the emergency response.
Traffic was backed up for miles while firefighters, paramedics, CHP officers and tow crews worked at the scene.
The SigAlert was later canceled and lanes reopened after several hours.
Investigators have not yet said what caused the semi-truck to cross the median.
No information has been released about possible mechanical failure, driver error, speed, impairment or other contributing factors.
The investigation remains active.
Authorities are expected to release more information after crash reconstruction work and victim notifications are completed.
