Crashes on 5 Freeway prompt closures in Newhall Pass and Pacoima amid wet conditions

PACOIMA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two semi-trucks crashed in separate incidents Thursday morning on the rain-soaked 5 Freeway, prompting closures in the Newhall Pass and Pacoima.

A semitrailer crashed into a center divider in the Newhall Pass, resulting in the shutdown of all truck lanes in both directions on the heavily trafficked interstate.

The single-vehicle collision happened about 1:14 a.m. on the southbound side of the freeway just south of Highway 14, said Officer James Tome of the California Highway Patrol.

The front end of the truck ended up perched on top of the median while the trailer blocked several lanes. The driver, who suffered minor injuries, was able to exit the vehicle unassisted.

All lanes were later reopened.

In Pacoima, a big rig jackknifed on the transition road from the northbound 5 to the westbound 118 Freeway. Whether anyone was injured was unknown.

The connector was reopened shortly after 7 a.m., the CHP said.

The official causes of the incidents, both of which occurred amid light rain in the region, were under investigation.