710 Freeway fully open after big-rig tanker crash, fire

The 710 Freeway in Commerce was fully open Monday morning following a fiery big rig tanker crash over the weekend.

The freeway was open in both directions by 5:11 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The big rig, carrying an estimated 8,000 gallons of crude oil, crashed at 9:30 a.m. Sunday near Washington Boulevard, leaving the driver of the rig “severely burned,” the CHP said.

According to the CHP’s incident log, the driver may have lost control after a flat tire. The vehicle crashed into a side rail and burst into flames as it dangled over the side of the road, officials said.

Much of its crude oil spilled, and some of it flowed downhill, setting two parked trucks on fire and incinerating them, authorities said.

The burning truck sent thick, black smoke into the air as some nearby residents were temporarily evacuated.

The northbound lanes of the freeway opened about 90 minutes after the crash, but the southbound lanes remained closed for cleanup until early Monday.

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