Semi-Truck Drops 80K Of Bottled Water In I-15 Spinout Crash

TEMECULA, CA — A semi-truck skidded in lanes on the southbound I-15 south of Temecula Monday morning, losing its rear trailer and disrupting commuter traffic for hours, according to California Highway Patrol. After an extensive cleanup, all lanes reopened by 12:30 p.m.

Shortly after 6:30 a.m., a semi-truck's trailer detached from its wheels, spilling its load of about 80,000 pounds of bottled water, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

Lassig explained that the cause of the incident was being investigated.

For reasons still under investigation, the big rig was headed uphill when, for reasons still under investigation, the trailer's rear wheels came off. That box came to rest in the middle lanes, blocking freeway traffic. There it remained, blocking the #3 and #4 lanes, full of its cargo: numerous pallets of water bottles.

The driver, a 58-year-old Mira Loma man, told CHP that the traffic stopped in front of him as he drove. "He applied his brakes," Lassig said. That was when the big rig skidded to a stop in the fast lane, leaving the wheel-less trailer behind in the slow lanes.

He then maneuvered safely to the shoulder and waited for help to arrive.

No other vehicles were involved, even with the massive debris left behind from the incident. Lassig said the big rig driver wore his seat belt and was not injured.

Crews were in the process of transferring the cargo to another trailer as of 9:30 a.m.

CHP expects the sig alert to be in place until at least 11:30 a.m.

"Southbound I-15 drivers should investigate alternate routes until the lanes are cleared; otherwise, add additional time to your commute," he said.