Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Jack Barnwell The driver of a produce truck takes a turn for the worse, hindering a number of Chabot's students from getting to school on time.

Yesterday morning, around 2:30 a.m., an 18-wheeler truck containing produce tipped over, blocking a freeway ramp near Chabot College.

The truck driver apparently loss control at the right-hand turn from Interstate 880 South to Highway 92 westbound.

"For whatever reason, the driver underestimated the turn and the produce contributed to the shift in weight," said California Highway Patrol sergeant Keith Crane.

The driver was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where according to Crane, "suffered minor injuries."

Chili peppers, oranges, cabbages and other produce were transferred box by box by less than a dozen workers, because of a failed attempt to upright the truck with everything still inside.

"The first attempt was unsuccessful fully loaded, said Crane. "We were unable to upright the truck without jeopardizing the structural integrity."

For eight hours, the truck lain on the road like a beached whale, as several CalTrans workers unloaded the contents to other vehicles.

The CHP and CalTrans closed the junction the entire time. Meanwhile, drivers had the option to take a detour to Jackson Street and back towards San Mateo Bridge or stay on the cloverleaf to reach Highway 92.

The closure caused delay for many people.

Mass communications student, Lillian Rojas was 15 minutes late to her 9 a.m. class because of the big-rig accident.

"It was really bad, everything was chaotic," she said. "Everybody was so angry. People were riding the bumpers of the cars in front of them. It took my friend 45 minutes to get from Castro Valley to here [Chabot]."

After unloading all the contents, drivers strategically attached cables to the floored 18-wheeler from three separate tow trucks. News crews were present to capture the footage.

The second attempt managed to tip the truck a few degrees, but one the cables sliced through the top of the container.

Third time's a charm seemed to apply to yesterday's incident, as workers reattached the cables, and in less than two minutes, the big-rig stood upright, marking the time at 9:45 a.m.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools