Multiple vehicles crashed Monday night swerving to avoid a large tree that fell onto Interstate 8 in Mission Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The tree came down at about 8:30 on I-8 east at the Interstate 805 interchange.
According to the CHP, there were three separate traffic collisions as a result of the tree coming down. The first involved two vehicles. At least one person was injured in that incident, according to investigators, who said that the driver who initiated contact in that crash fled the scene. No further information was available last night regarding the injuries.
No one was hurt in the other two wrecks, both of which involved two vehicles.
Traffic on the I-8 backed up as a result of the tree collapse but no other accidents were reported.
The CHP said shortly before 10 p.m. that the No. 1-3 lanes had been reopened to traffic and that Caltrans had been called out to help with the removal of the tree.