![The jaws of life were used to remove the driver's door from the big-rig cab, which is inside the back of the other big-rig. [photo by Scott Robinson]](https://mountainenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/Scott_Robinson_driver-door-web-300x400.jpg)
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The jaws of life were used to remove the driver's door from the big-rig cab, which is inside the back of the other big-rig. [photo by Scott Robinson]
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This photo from Scott Robinson shows traffic backed up in two lanes open to motorists.![A big-rig tanker slammed into the back of another big-rig parked on the shoulder of northbound I-5. [photo by Jeff Zimmerman]](https://mountainenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/MG_8625news-324x216.jpg)
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A big-rig tanker slammed into the back of another big-rig parked on the shoulder of northbound I-5. [photo by Jeff Zimmerman]![A big-rig tanker slammed into the back of another big-rig parked on the shoulder of northbound I-5. [photo by Jeff Zimmerman]](https://mountainenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/MG_8635news-324x216.jpg)
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A big-rig tanker slammed into the back of another big-rig parked on the shoulder of northbound I-5. [photo by Jeff Zimmerman]![A big-rig tanker slammed into the back of another big-rig parked on the shoulder of northbound I-5. [photo by Jeff Zimmerman]](https://mountainenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/MG_8658news-324x216.jpg)
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A big-rig tanker slammed into the back of another big-rig parked on the shoulder of northbound I-5. [photo by Jeff Zimmerman]
UPDATE—GORMAN, CA (Tuesday, March 26, 2014 at 2:30 a.m.)—CHP confirms that all lanes on the Grapevine, and at the location of the crash in Gorman, were cleared and open by 2:30 a.m.
UPDATE—GORMAN, CA (Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 5:49 p.m.)—L.A. County Firefighter Paramedic Scott Robinson reported at 5:46 p.m. that the body of the driver in the fatal big rig crash was finally extricated “about 20 minutes ago,” after the conditions were finally safe for workers. Meanwhile, CHP says that northbround I-5 traffic may expect delays of up to three hours. See below for suggestions for alternate routes.
UPDATE—GORMAN, CA (Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 11:19 a.m.)—Scott Robinson reports from the scene that the freeway will be tied up for hours until late this afternoon. Jet fuel in the tanker must be off loaded before attempting to extricate the body. They may be closing down the freeway during this off loading process. Currently one lane is open for traffic.
UPDATE—GORMAN, CA (Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 10:26 a.m.)—Traffic is backed up for miles according to Jeff Zimmerman, who is at the accident scene. Alternate routes are strongly recommended for anyone traveling north over the Grapevine. Highway 14 north before reaching Santa Clarita, then Highway 58 through Bakersfield, is one route that would take motorists back to I-5 north. Another is Highway 14 north, then Highway 138 west to Gorman where motorists can again pick up I-5 north.
GORMAN, CA (Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 9:25 a.m.)—Los Angeles County Fire Department, Caltrans and the CHP are working a large semi-truck accident on the northbound Interstate 5 freeway, just south of Highway 138 in the Gorman area. [At about 6:40 a.m.] a large tanker truck collided with the rear of a box car semi-truck in the slow lane of Interstate 5, just 8 miles south of Gorman. Northbound Interstate 5 will be backed up for hours. Drivers should use alternative routes of travel. Hazmat crews from LA County Fire Department are working to contain a diesel spill and assist with offloading the tanker truck of Hazardous Materials. The driver of the tanker truck was fatally injured and is still lodged in the cab of the vehicle awaiting arrival of LA County Coroner prior to extrication. It is estimated that crews will be working on the incident all day. Diesel has spilled onto the freeway and into a storm drain, requiring notification to Fish and Game, and California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA). The accident is under investigation by CHP. –Reported by Jeff Zimmerman
This is part of the March 21, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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