It’s all clear now, but early morning traffic on the southbound I-5 came to a standstill around 3 a.m. when a tanker truck crashed into the back of a Prius just south of McBean Parkway.
Jacob Daniel Robinson,45, of San Francisco was driving his 2008 Toyota Prius southbound, traveling at approximately 70 mph and Jose Luis Orantes, 51, of Bakersfield, was driving a 2004 Freightliner truck in the same direction, at about 55 mph.
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According to a report from the California Highway Patrol, for unknown reasons, Robinson drifted into the center median and collided with the guardrail. He then deflected to the right, crossing all lanes of traffic, colliding with Orantes’ truck, which was carrying butane. Orantes’s then lost control of the truck, which traveled up a dirt embankment and overturned.
CHP and LA County Fire personnel responded to the scene; Robinson was treated at the scene and transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Orantes was treated at the scene and refused further medical treatment.
All lanes of I-5 southbound were closed from 3:15 to 3:45 a.m., with two lanes reopening at 3:45 a.m. The freeway was closed in both directions from 6:20 to 7 a.m. to facilitate righting the truck. As of 7 a.m., only two southbound lanes remained closed. Traffic was taken off the freeway at Valencia Boulevard and detoured to The Old Road to avoid the accident site.
All lanes are clear now.