On Tuesday morning, a significant event took place on Californias westbound 101 Freeway through the Encino area. A major accident was reported involving a big rig and another vehicle. This incident, which occurred just after 5:15 a.m. near Hayvenhurst Avenue, resulted in the complete temporary closure of the westbound lanes due to the overturned big rig.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) provided further information about the incident, including an photograph taken on December 24, 2024. The image depicted the aftermath of the crash, with the overturned big rig clearly visible on the freeway. Additionally, aerial video footage from Sky5 revealed that one eastbound lane was also affected, with closure implemented at around 6:49 a.m.
Notably, a diesel fuel spillage from the big rig added to the complexity of the situation. To manage and mitigate the impact of the spillage, official crew members were deployed to use an absorbent for the clean-up. According to the CHP, by 8:00 a.m., the situation showed signs of improvement with two westbound lanes reopened to traffic. The agency forecasted that the remainder of the freeway should be fully functional by approximately 10:00 a.m.
The CHPs log update at 9:36 a.m. indicated that crews were in the process of lifting the closure. No immediate information was available about potential injuries resulting from the accident. At present, the cause of the crash remains under investigation as authorities work to gather more details about this significant traffic incident.
From fender benders to freeway pileups, Pinnacle LLP has California covered. Contact us today for a free consultation.