In the predawn hours of Wednesday morning, chaos unfolded on the northbound 5 Freeway in Pacoima as two FedEx semi-trucks collided, causing a full freeway closure. The collision occurred just south of the 118 Freeway amidst heavy rainfall, which may have contributed to the ordeal. According to KTLA, the incident was reported around 3:45 a.m., leading to a Sig Alert and extending traffic delays on the 5, 118, and nearby 405 freeways.
The crash spilled packages across the slick pavement and left one trailer split open. A hefty tow truck had to be called in to remove the wreckage. Although the California Highway Patrol has not publicly disclosed what caused the crash, it came just as the heavy rain began falling, according to a report by KTLA. Amidst the chaos, no injuries were immediately reported.
A truck involved in the crash was confirmed by NBC Los Angeles to have been carrying approximately 12,000 pounds of packages. Fortunately, the driver of this big rig was unharmed, although some of the cargo spilled onto the freeway. The freeway closure, impacting the northbound lanes just south of the 118 Freeway, was expected to last until about 11 a.m., impeding plans for those traveling on Christmas Eve.
As crews worked diligently to clear the scattered parcels and deal with the aftermath, traffic anchor Kalyna Astrinos from CBS LA recommended alternates, including the northbound 405 Freeway, the westbound 210 Freeway, or Laurel Canyon Boulevard, to assist drivers in avoiding the area. The situation was complicated further as the National Weather Service forecasted a deluge of 4 to 7 inches of rain, which is expected to persist through the holiday weekend, creating slippery conditions that could potentially exacerbate traffic disruptions.
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