Jackknifed big rig results in day-long blockage of San Leandro I-238 lanes

By Tim Fang

Lanes of Interstate 238 in San Leandro were blocked for hours on Friday after a big rig carrying tens of thousands of pounds of fruit jackknifed early Friday morning.

The California Highway Patrol said the crash took place shortly before 3:20 a.m. on the northbound direction of the freeway ahead of the interchange with Interstate 880.

Officials said the driver veered of the roadway and struck the attenuator barrels before the big rig came to rest. An oil spill was also reported.

Authorities told CBS News Bay Area photojournalist Brian Kiley that the big rig was carrying about 40,000 pounds of fruit from the Central Valley. The driver had apparently fallen asleep before the collision.

No injuries were reported.

“If you’re feeling tired at all, and I see this unfortunately a lot, when you’re driving on the roadway and you’re feeling tired, pull over and stop. Take a nap if you have to,” said Sgt. Dustin Jorick of the CHP Hayward office.

The right lane of the connector ramp to southbound 880 was reopened as of 2 p.m., while the left lane remained closed, as were the right and center lanes to northbound 880. 

The backup on the freeway extended past the interchange with Interstate 580 in Castro Valley.