Hwy 24 Reopens After Big Rig Overturns, Spills Lawn Sod Across Lanes

LAMORINDA, CA — All westbound lanes of Highway 24 reopened late Wednesday morning, nearly five hours after a big rig overturned and spilled thousands of pounds of lawn sod across all lanes.

The crash happened shortly before 5 a.m. west of the Caldecott Tunnel in Orinda. The truck landed on its side in the No. 1 and 2 lanes.

The truck was "leaning, began sparking and then fell over," according to California Highway Patrol dispatchers.

About 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of sod — described by witnesses as greenery and dirt — spilled onto the lanes, prompting the closure of all four westbound lanes.

The driver was taken to a hospital, CHP Officer Adib Zeid told Bay City News Service. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Traffic was backed up for miles as workers removed the sod and crash debris from the freeway lanes.

The CHP diverted traffic onto state Highway 13 and recommended that drivers choose an alternate route or take an alternative form of transportation.

There was no initial estimate for how long the closure would last. Around 9:50 a.m., the Sig-alert for the roadway was lifted, and all lanes were reopened, the CHP reported.