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57 Fwy Reopens In Fullerton After Fatal Collision Involving Big Rig

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — The 57 Freeway reopened Thursday morning after a fatal crash in Orange County.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, a big rig carrying a forklift blew its front left tire on the southbound side of the freeway at Orangthorpe Avenue in Fullerton.

The driver lost control, went across all lanes and crashed into a red Honda Civic.

Both the big rig and Honda went through the center divider wall and knocked down a freeway sign.

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The forklift on the truck went airborne and struck two other vehicles. The truck then crashed into a fourth vehicle — a white Honda Accord— head on.

The 28-year-old male driver from Fontana was pronounced dead at the scene, according to CHP Officer Olivera.

fatal 57 freeway crash
(credit: CBS)

A total of five other people were transported to a local hospital with moderate to major injuries.

"This could have been a lot worse seeing where the big rig ended up in the northbound lanes, it could have been much worse at that time of night," Sgt. Todd Koehler said

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All lanes were opened by 8:20 a.m.

The investigation was ongoing.

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