New sources report that a big rig driver survived with broken bones after the semi he was driving plunged 50 feet off of an Interstate 80 onramp in Oakland.
According the California Highway Patrol, at around 8:05 p.m. the big rig was traveling on the transition ramp leading from West Grand Avenue to the MacArthur Maze when the driver of the white 2000 Peterbilt tractor-trailer lost control of the 18-wheeler. The semi tumbled over the side of the ramp, overturning in a grassy area.
The driver of the semi suffered a broken arm in the crash. The 18-wheeler, which had been hauling dirt, spilled some of its load on to the grassy patch, reported a CHP official. Sixty gallons of diesel fuel spilled during the wreck, and a fire, which was quickly extinguished, was ignited.
Emergency crews responded to the scene within minutes of the accident, which occurred just west of Interstate 580. Two eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 were shut down until about 1:20 a.m. while California Department of Transportation crews cleaned up the spilled fuel and hauled away the big rig wreckage.
As an Oakland car accident attorney, I am relieved that the driver survived the crash and I wish the big rig operator a quick recovery from his injury. As a car accident lawyer, I encourage all motorists to stay alert on the road and aware of changing traffic conditions.
