A FedEx semi jackknifed on northbound Interstate-15, spilling about 100 gallons of diesel fuel onto the freeway and snarling traffic for hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The accident happened just north of Rancho Bernardo Rd. at about 3 p.m Friday.
Northbound I-15 traffic was limited to vehicles in the express lane separated by concrete barriers as CalTrans crews swept up fuel-soaked sand. Lanes reopened around 6 p.m.
Seven to eight vehicles were involved in the collision, according to CHP.
Kristian Tristan, who lives close to the crash scene, followed events closely in the accident's aftermath. He said he saw vehicles swerving to avoid a car that was "badly hit."
"It was like destroyed," Tristan said of the vehicle. "It's like gone. It's gone. The entire side looked like -- gone."
The driver of the semi was taken to a local hospital.
“This happened right in front of my husband, he said it was like watching a movie, though he didn't see who caused it, but when he got home his car stunk of diesel,” wrote Nikki Kirk on Facebook.
It's not clear what caused the crash.
