Semi truck crash in La Mesa closes freeway transition ramp for hours

A semi truck lost control and crashed early Wednesday on the southbound state Route 125 transition ramp to westbound Interstate 8 in La Mesa, spilling diesel fuel and causing the closure of some freeway lanes for hours.

The crash occurred around 1:50 a.m., with the front end of the cab ending up hanging off the Grossmont overpass, California Highway Patrol spokesperson Esteban Hernandez said.

The driver was not injured.

Esteban said crews from Caltrans and the city of La Mesa were called to the scene to mop up the diesel spill.

One westbound lane at SR-125 to Grossmont Boulevard was closed for about four hours. Another lane, on La Mesa Boulevard to eastbound I-8, remained closed with an estimated re-opening time of no later than 10 p.m., CHP officer Jasmine Lopez said.

Lopez said much of the diesel fuel spilled onto the roadway underneath the freeway overpass, where clean-up crews were continuing to work.

Though the cause of the solo-vehicle crash was unknown, Esteban said “overnight rain causing a slippery surface on the road could have been a factor.”