405 Freeway in Sherman Oaks reopens after wrecked propane hauler is removed from lanes
SHERMAN OAKS — A big rig tanker fully loaded with 9,400 gallons of propane fuel rolled over on the southbound 405 Freeway north of the 101 Freeway on Sunday morning, shutting down the freeway for hours, officials said.
The shutdown lasted most of the day Sunday, from when overturned truck was first reported before 7 a.m. until Caltrans workers reopened both sides of the freeway more than eight hours later.
The tanker came to rest just south of Burbank Boulevard on the 405, near the exit to the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.
At around 3 p.m., Caltrans reported righting the tanker, allowing workers to open the northbound side of the freeway. About a half hour later, the southbound side was also opened.
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No one was injured in the crash, but the 51-year-old driver of the tanker was taken to a hospital as a precaution, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Firefighters also reported a small leak of the vehicle’s motor oil. No propane leaked, officials said.
About three and a half hours after the crash, numerous drivers were trapped on the freeway. CHP said some drivers were turning around to exit down the on-ramp to Haskell Avenue in Lake Balboa.
According to preliminary information from the CHP dispatch log of the incident, no other vehicle was involved.