Crash Causes Delays on SB I-5 Near Via de la Valle

A multiple-vehicle crash closed several lanes of southbound Interstate 5 near Via de la Valle for hours Friday morning.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) said a tractor trailer slid and crashed into the center divider. A tour bus traveling behind the big rig slowed down. A Toyota Prius then collided with the tour bus.

CHP Officers said oil from the big rig leaked onto the freeway. Paired with rainy conditions, officials feared the freeway would be far too slick for commuters. As a result, CHP officers decided to shut down various lanes of the freeway for several hours.

At 6:40 a.m., Cal Trans officials were on scene waiting for a vacuum truck to arrive to soak up the puddles of oil and water at the crash site.

Officials said they would slowly begin to open up the area, lane by lane.

As of 6:50 a.m., only one lane remained closed. Officials said they expected to have the scene fully cleared within the next two hours.

No other information was immediately available.