Interstate 5 Freeway Reopens After Deadly Crash Shuts Down Grapevine

Multi-Vehicle Crash on Southbound I-5 Also Causes Road Closures

Key Points:

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• A big rig accident caused a major traffic backup on northbound I-5 near the Grapevine.
• All northbound lanes of I-5 over the Grapevine were closed due to the deadly crash.
• Southbound I-5 lanes were also closed following a multi-vehicle crash.
• Southbound I-5 has since reopened after an hourslong closure.
• Northbound I-5 was cut to one lane over the Grapevine after the initial crash.
• All northbound lanes of I-5 near the Grapevine have now reopened.

The northbound 5 Freeway near the Grapevine experienced a major traffic backup on Tuesday, July 25, after a big rig carrying 15-foot metal poles overturned.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bakersfield reported that all northbound lanes of I-5 over the Grapevine were closed at approximately 11:30 a.m. due to the deadly crash.

According to CHP, the big rig was traveling on the northbound side of I-5 when it overturned, spilling its load of metal poles onto the roadway. The big rig driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and a passenger in the big rig was airlifted to a local hospital with major injuries.

In addition to the deadly crash on the northbound side of I-5, there was also a multi-vehicle crash on the southbound side of I-5 just south of Grapevine Road.

The southbound lanes of I-5 were closed for several hours following the crash, but have since reopened.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reported that northbound I-5 was cut to one lane over the Grapevine north of Lebec following the initial crash.

As of 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, all northbound lanes of I-5 near the Grapevine have reopened.

Caltrans advises motorists to expect delays in the area and to allow for extra travel time.

The cause of the crashes is still under investigation.