State Route 67 in Poway turned into a morning headache today after a crash involving a gas tanker shut down the rural highway in both directions. The wreck was reported just after 5:25 AM near Ellie Lane in north Poway and kept the key commuter route closed for several hours. One driver in a smaller vehicle was trapped, then freed by rescuers and taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Crash details
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the collision involved a fuel-hauling tanker and a smaller passenger vehicle and was reported just north of Poway Road. State Route 67 was closed in both directions as crews cleared wreckage and investigated the scene. Commuters were warned to expect major delays on nearby surface streets while the closure remained in effect.
Officials: no spill, one injured
"None of the fuel the truck was hauling spilled," San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Sean Gallagher told The San Diego Union-Tribune. Deputies and rescue crews freed the driver of the smaller vehicle, who was transported to a hospital with minor injuries and is expected to recover.
SR-67 safety context
State Route 67 alternates between freeway-style stretches and narrow, two-lane rural segments, a setup that has long fueled safety worries. Caltrans has an ongoing corridor planning effort aimed at improving safety and mobility along the route. The highway has also seen multiple serious collisions in recent years, including a multi-vehicle pileup last summer that left several people dead, underscoring how dangerous the road can be, according to the Times of San Diego and Caltrans.
Investigation and travel tips
The cause of today's collision remained under investigation. Drivers headed into East County were urged to keep an eye on local traffic reports and allow extra time while the closure and cleanup continued. Authorities said they would release updates as the scene was cleared and investigators wrapped up work on the roadway.
