LOS ANGELES, CA – A multi-vehicle crash involving two big rigs left hundreds of Amazon packages strewn across the 5 Freeway in East Los Angeles early Monday morning, causing significant traffic delays and a hazardous materials cleanup, authorities said.
The collision, which involved at least four vehicles, was reported at approximately 6:30 a.m. on the southbound lanes of the freeway near Ditman Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Officials said the impact of the crash caused one of the big rigs, which was transporting Amazon packages, to spill its cargo onto the freeway, blocking multiple southbound lanes and leaving debris scattered across the roadway.
Responders arriving at the scene discovered that a light pole had also been damaged, further complicating cleanup efforts. In addition, approximately 40 gallons of fuel leaked from one of the trucks, prompting authorities to bring in hazardous materials teams to address the spill.
CHP officials issued a SigAlert at 7 a.m., closing two southbound lanes near the crash site. The closure was expected to last for at least two hours while crews worked to clear debris and contain the fuel spill.
As of Monday morning, there were no immediate reports of injuries, although officials noted that paramedics were on-site as a precaution.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, and an investigation is ongoing.
Drivers were advised to avoid the area and consider alternate routes as delays continued through the morning commute.
CHP officials said that updates on the incident would be provided as investigators gather more details about the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
Further information, including whether speed, mechanical failure, or driver error played a role, is expected to be released once the investigation progresses.
For those traveling through the affected area, officials urged caution and asked motorists to remain alert while crews continue clean-up efforts and work to reopen lanes as quickly as possible.
