BREA : Vehicle Pileup Stalls Traffic on Freeway

A sevenvehicle pileup on the Orange Freeway stalled traffic for hours Tuesday after a big rig transporting 32,000 pounds of chlorine gas slammed into another tractor-trailer rig, authorities said. The driver of the tanker suffered minor injuries, but no chlorine gas leaked out of his rig, the CHP said.

The accident, which occurred about 8:15 a.m., forced the closure of three of the four southbound lanes and backed up traffic for at least 2 1/2 miles. The lanes were reopened by 1 p.m.

Fred Mursu, 59, of Hemet, the driver of the truck hauling the chlorine gas, received minor injuries and was taken to Brea Community Hospital, CHP Officer Keith Thornhill said.

The accident occurred in the southbound lanes of the freeway south of Lambert Road. Thornhill said Mursu slammed on his brakes as he approached slowing traffic.

“For some reason, he couldn’t stop,” Thornhill said. “He slammed into the tractor-trailer. The cab of his (Mursu’s) vehicle was totally demolished. He was very lucky to escape with minor injuries.”

Thornhill said CHP investigators were trying to determine how the other five vehicles became involved in the crash.

CHP officers closed the three lanes of the freeway as crews attempted to drain the diesel-fuel tanks of the two vehicles.