SIGALERT: Truck Plunges Onto I-215 Freeway, Snarling Commuter Traffic

PERRiS, CA — A pickup truck plunged off an overpass and landed upside-down on Interstate 215 in Perris Wednesday, hitting at least one vehicle, injuring three people and prompting a partial closure of the freeway.

The crash happened at about 3:35 p.m. at the Placentia Avenue overcrossing at southbound I-215, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The agency said the driver of a black truck apparently lost control while driving on the overpass and plowed through a guardrail, causing the pickup to land in the No. 1 lane of southbound I-215.

A red SUV collided with the overturned pickup, the CHP said.

Riverside County Fire Department personnel reached the location about 15 minutes later and found the pickup driver trapped.

All southbound lanes were shut down just before 4 p.m. as crews extricated the motorist. A Sigalert was issued due to the ensuing miles-long traffic jam. The closure was still in effect as of 4:30 p.m.

The two occupants of the SUV and the pickup driver were taken to a regional trauma center for treatment of unspecified injuries.

The wreckage was expected to be removed by 5:30 p.m.

CHP officers were investigating the crash.