Tractor-Trailer Crash Damages Bridge in Perris, Causes Freeway Lane Closures

PERRIS (CBSLA.com) — A big-rig carrying sand overturned Tuesday and crashed into a freeway overpass on Interstate 215 that caused part of a bridge to collapse, officials said.

According to California Highway Patrol officials, the crash occurred around 10:04 a.m. south of Nuevo Road, closing the freeway in both directions due to bridge debris that fell from a construction zone into northbound lanes.

KCAL9's Adrianna Weingold spoke to California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Monks who explained that the damaged bridge was under construction and workers were expecting a concrete pour.

"There was quite a bit of debris that fell off of where they are expanding the bridge," Monks said.  "If there were vehicles there or workers there this could have definitely been a deadly situation.  Thank god it wasn't that and this was just a regular traffic accident."

According to CalTrans, all northbound lanes were expected to be closed through Wednesday morning, while all southbound lanes had reopened shortly after original closure.

There were no injuries involved in this accident, officials said.

"The reason why the driver allowed his vehicle to veer to the right is still under investigation," said Monks.  "We do have our mobile road enforcement officer here to do a post-collision inspection to walk around and check all safety items, tires, brake lines, things of that nature."

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