Gasoline Tank Truck Collision, Fire Block Traffic on Freeway for 3 Hours
A collision involving a recreational vehicle and a double gasoline tank truck on the San Diego Freeway in Westminster blocked the freeway in both directions for more than three hours Saturday evening.
No one was injured, authorities said, when a recreational vehicle driven by a tourist from Canada trying to get to Disneyland attempted to make a sudden lane change at the Springdale Avenue exit.
The tanker, carrying 880 gallons of gasoline, then jackknifed, overturned and burst into flames close to a number of homes, which had to be evacuated. The driver of the truck was identified by the CHP as Edwardo Chivira, 37, of Whittier.
Westminster police identified the driver of the recreational vehicle as George Raimbault, and his passenger as Valerie Baylis, both of Saskatoon, Canada. The couple were able to drive away from the crash.
Neither driver was cited by the CHP, but spokesman Bruce Mulligan said the investigation is continuing.
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