Lanes reopen after trucker killed in I-880 crash

Preliminary reports indicate the accident happened after a big rig carrying trash went out of control, possibly while trying to avoid a small car, CHP said.

The Associated Press

6/27/2008

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — A big rig driver and the driver of a pickup truck carrying empty coffins were killed in a crash that blocked a major San Francisco Bay area freeway for several hours Thursday, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The crash on Interstate 880 happened just after 9:15 a.m. Preliminary reports indicate the accident happened after a big rig carrying trash went out of control, possibly while trying to avoid a small car, CHP said.

The big rig crossed the center divide and collided with two other trucks, including one carrying caskets.

All three vehicles caught fire. Investigators shut down a four-mile stretch of I-880 and diverted traffic onto other freeways while the flames were extinguished and the wreckage was cleared.

By 3 p.m. Thursday, all southbound lanes were reopened and one northbound lane was open.