Fuel Spill, Cleanup Close Part of Harbor Freeway

Most of the lanes of the southbound Harbor Freeway were expected to remain closed until early this morning, while workers mopped up as much as 6,700 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled from an overturned tanker truck Thursday afternoon.

The 1 p.m. accident closed all southbound lanes from the Century Freeway. Just after 6 p.m., the carpool and fast lanes were reopened.

The accident is still under investigation, but authorities said the tanker was trying to avoid two cars that had collided when one of those vehicles struck the swerving truck, which then overturned.

Three people were taken to Gardena Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, including the truck driver, 38, and a passenger, 34. An 18-year-old woman in a car was slightly injured, California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Ramirez said.

Much of the spilled fuel may have flowed into storm drains, said L.A. Fire Department spokesman Bob Collis. The state Department of Fish and Game and the Coast Guard were notified as a precaution. Caltrans and other crews were expected to be working past midnight.

The accident initially halted traffic for five miles, Ramirez said

“It’s a huge mess,” he said.

Kandace Warren, 31, said it took her 90 minutes to drive from Los Angeles to Gardena.

“I felt like just getting out of the car and walking away, that’s how frustrated I was,” she said.

Hawthorne Police Lt. John Beerling said commuters found their way around surface streets.

“When those things occur, usually everyone gets into a mad dash scramble to get around the mess,” Beerling said.

“They scatter in numerous directions finding secret little routes.”