Majority of 405 Freeway shut down in Long Beach following big rig crash

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A crash involving a big rig on the 405 Freeway in Long Beach caused a massive traffic jam Tuesday morning after four lanes in both directions were closed, according to California Highway Patrol.

Authorities said 75 gallons of diesel spilled on to the roadway near Long Beach Boulevard around 9:45 a.m. A hazmat team was called to access the scene and clean up.

All southbound lanes as well as the HOV and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 northbound lanes were shut down for an unknown duration, authorities said.

CHP tweeted around 12:30 p.m. that traffic was being diverted.

AIR7 was over the crash, where it appeared a big rig had lost its load, scattering large pipes across the middle of the freeway. Aerial footage showed traffic backed up for miles.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.