The 10 Freeway in Pomona was shut down in all directions Monday night after a fiery crash and explosion involving a big rig and several vehicles that left at least one person dead and about 10 others injured.
The accident was reported about 8:30 p.m. near Towne Avenue after the big rig collided with three to four vehicles, the California Highway Patrol said.
One of the vehicles was smashed under the big rig and exploded in flames, the CHP said.
Television news footage showed flames shooting out of the back side of the big rig.
Victims were taken by helicopter to a hospital, and a second helicopter was on the freeway Monday night as firefighters knocked down the flames, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
One witness told The Times that the “truck was on the right side of the road, burning, and occasionally an explosion could be heard.”
The CHP said the freeway would be closed for at least four hours. Traffic was jammed for several miles in both directions.