Updated at 10:15 a.m., July 28, 2016
A fiery chain-reaction crash involving three big rigs on Interstate 15 near Fallbrook early Thursday left one driver severely injured and prompted authorities to shut down the northbound freeway for hours.
One of the tractor-trailers was rear-ended by a second in the far right northbound lane near Mission Road around 1:45 a.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Parent. About 20 minutes later, a third tractor- trailer crashed into the wrecked rigs. One of the big rigs caught fire.
Neither driver in the first crash was injured, but the 65-year-old San Bernardino man behind the wheel of the third tractor-trailer suffered major injuries. Parent said the injured trucker was taken to Palomar Medical Center.
The wrecked trucks and emergency responders blocked the entire northbound freeway for a time and a SigAlert was issued, but it was lifted at about 6 a.m., authorities said.
— City News Service
