Crime & Safety
UPDATED: Big Rig Jackknifes on 10 Near Lincoln, One Dies
Sig Alert has traffic crawling.
UPDATE at 5:13 p.m.: One person was killed and at least six others injured today when two big rigs and a minivan crashed in the McClure Tunnel linking the Santa Monica (10) Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, authorities said.
The crash happened about 12:35 p.m. on the westbound side, said Robin Gee, public information manager with the city of Santa Monica.
The Santa Monica Fire Department initially reported that seven victims were transported to hospitals. It is not clear if the fatal victim was among those transported.
California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Bishop said one crash victim died but he had no details about the person.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The driver of one of the big rigs declined to be taken to a hospital against medical advice, Gee said.
The crash shut down the westbound Santa Monica Freeway at Lincoln Boulevard and caused major backup on the southbound PCH leading to the tunnel, said California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Bishop.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The westbound 10 was not expected to be reopened before 5 p.m., said Santa Monica Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Clemo said.
UPDATE as of 2:15 p.m.: 10 Eastbound is open, and 10 westbound is closed at Lincoln Boulevard.
Original post:
The westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway has been closed at Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica because of a jackknifed big rig, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash happened in the McClure Tunnel, according to several media sources.
Brentwood Patrol is reporting that eastbound traffic on Pacific Coast Highway is backed up from the area of incident to Sunset Boulevard. Heavy traffic is expected.
--City News Service
Patch Editor Penny Arévalo contributed to this report.
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