Overturned Cement Truck Causes Hours-Long Freeway Closure in Boyle Heights

The truck crashed and dangled off an overpass, spilling concrete onto the road below.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A concrete truck crashed and overturned on the 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, on Saturday morning, causing the truck to dangle off an overpass and dump concrete onto the road below. The incident led to a major closure of the 5 and 10 Freeway transition that lasted for several hours as crews worked to secure the truck and clear the debris.

Why it matters

Freeway closures due to major accidents can significantly disrupt traffic and transportation in the Los Angeles area, which is known for its heavy congestion. This incident highlights the importance of safe driving and proper maintenance of large commercial vehicles to prevent such dangerous situations from occurring.

The details

The crash happened just before 9:15 a.m. on the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway near Cesar Chavez Avenue. The concrete truck was over the k-rail and not secure, threatening the 10 Freeway and train tracks below. Firefighters worked to evaluate the situation and determine the safest way to secure the truck and mitigate the fall hazard. A third-party contractor was eventually able to pull the tractor-trailer from over the overpass and upright it.

  • The crash occurred just before 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • A SigAlert was issued at 9:45 a.m., closing all northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway and all westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway.
  • The SigAlert was not fully lifted until just before 5 p.m. on the same day.

The players

California Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and logged the initial report.

Los Angeles Fire Department

The fire department that dispatched crews to the scene to assist with the incident and evaluate the situation.

Third-party contractor

A company that was able to pull the tractor-trailer from over the overpass and upright it.

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What they’re saying

“The truck is loaded and spilling concrete. LAFD Heavy Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue specialized units are on scene to evaluate and determine safest way to secure the truck to mitigate the immediate fall hazard.”

— LAFD officials (cbsnews.com)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of proper maintenance and safe operation of large commercial vehicles to prevent dangerous situations that can lead to major freeway closures and significant disruptions to transportation in the Los Angeles area.