FLORISTON, Calif. — A serious crash on Interstate 80 near Floriston left a semi truck in a precarious position Friday, with the vehicle’s cabin hanging over the edge of a bridge and the trailer overturned across the highway.
The single-vehicle crash happened around 10:45 a.m. near Floriston in Nevada County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision caused major damage to the truck and left the driver ejected from the vehicle. The CHP incident report classified the driver’s injuries as major.
Images from the scene showed the severity of the crash, with the truck’s cabin appearing to hang over the bridge’s guardrail while the trailer lay overturned across the interstate.
Overturned Trailer Blocks Eastbound Interstate
The crash created an immediate traffic problem on eastbound I-80.
The overturned trailer completely blocked the eastbound lanes, preventing traffic from continuing through the crash area. Authorities turned eastbound vehicles around at Hirschdale Road while emergency crews and recovery teams worked to clear the wreckage.
The dangerous position of the truck’s cab also complicated the cleanup operation. Crews needed specialized heavy equipment to safely remove the damaged portion of the vehicle from the bridge.
Video from the scene showed a heavy-duty tow truck being used to pull the cabin away from the bridge, as crews carefully worked around the damaged structure.
The operation continued for much of the day, with motorists facing significant delays in the area.
Driver Airlifted After Being Ejected
The truck driver suffered major injuries in the crash, according to the CHP.
Following the collision, the driver was transported by air to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, for treatment.
Officials had not released the driver’s condition by Friday evening.
The circumstances that caused the truck to leave the roadway and crash have not been detailed in the available information. Authorities continue to handle the incident and determine what led to the single-vehicle collision.
Traffic Backup Continues Into Friday Night
The crash had an impact well beyond the initial emergency response.
According to Caltrans QuickMap, eastbound I-80 traffic remained backed up around the area as late as 8:45 p.m. Friday, many hours after the crash occurred.
The extended delays were connected to the recovery operation and the substantial amount of equipment and personnel still working at the scene.
CHP’s Truckee office warned drivers to expect lengthy delays and urged motorists to be cautious while passing through the area.
“Expect significant delays,” the office said Friday evening. “There is a substantial traffic backup in the area, and emergency personnel and equipment remain on scene.”
The agency also asked drivers to slow down, use caution and give emergency crews plenty of room while traveling through the area.
Investigation and Cleanup Continue
Photos taken after the crash showed that the truck’s cabin was severely damaged, while the trailer remained overturned on the highway.
The unusual position of the cab, hanging over the bridge’s guardrail, made the crash particularly hazardous for both the driver and emergency crews responding to the scene.
Crews continued working to remove the wreckage and restore traffic flow on the interstate.
The driver’s condition remained unknown as of Friday evening, and additional details about the cause of the crash had not been released.
For motorists traveling through the Floriston area, officials urged patience and caution as crews worked to finish the recovery operation.
The crash serves as another reminder of how quickly a serious interstate collision can create dangerous conditions and hours-long traffic disruptions for drivers traveling through the region.
Were you caught in the I-80 traffic backup? Share your experience or thoughts about this crash in the comments.