An overturned semi-truck carrying lithium batteries on the 15 Freeway caused a substantial traffic jam on one of Southern California's primary arteries, as reported by KTLA. The incident, which occurred early Friday morning near the Afton Road exit, prompted a "hard closure" of the northbound lanes and left many motorists stranded without proper supplies.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, the resulting fire from the crash had been burning for over 14 hours as of 9 p.m. Friday night. The closed section of the freeway between Barstow and Baker compounded a logistical challenge for responders, with high response times exacerbated by the traffic and distance to fire stations. In a sign of some progress, ABC7 noted that air quality improvements made it possible to partially reopen I-15 by Saturday noon, allowing one lane to be accessible to the public.
Motorists en route to Las Vegas faced significant delays, with some resorting to spending the night in cars at gas stations or seeking accommodations like Katryn Santore, who detailed to KTLA how her journey had been unexpectedly extended overnight. "I’ve been on the road since yesterday. I left Los Angeles around 11 a.m.," Santore recounted, adding that she was halted on the 15 from about 2:30 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m. and ended up staying at a hotel in Victorville Friday night.
In the midst of the sweltering conditions, with temperatures in Baker climbing to 108 degrees Fahrenheit, the Fire Department has been distributing water to those in need. While travel alternatives like I-40 have been recommended through officials, a traffic buildup remains anticipated and causing further inconvenience for travelers seeking passage to and from the desert oasis.
