ATWATER VILLAGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A tanker truck crashed and overturned Wednesday morning on the 5 Freeway near Griffith Park in Atwater Village, prompting the closure of all northbound lanes for 11 hours, authorities said.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the single-vehicle collision happened shortly after 7 a.m. near Los Feliz Boulevard. California Highway Patrol investigators said the crash occurred when the driver of the big rig swerved to avoid a car that was stopped in front of him.
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No one was injured, but the tanker was carrying 7,500 gallons of fuel, about 10 of which spilled onto the freeway, officials said. A hazardous materials team responded to the scene and poured a cordon of sand around the spilled fuel to prevent it from spreading.
Northbound motorists were diverted off of the interstate by making a U-turn onto the Los Feliz Boulevard on-ramp, which was closed to oncoming traffic.
Just before 4 p.m., crews were able to turn the truck upright, and at 6 p.m., three lanes reopened. The right lane was expected to reopen around 10 p.m. Caltrans tweeted all lanes were open again shortly before 10 p.m.
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The lane closure was initially expected to continue until at least 3 p.m., but that time was later pushed back, authorities said.