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A big rig plunged from an overpass in the Pacoima area Tuesday, forcing the closure of the northbound 5 Freeway for nearly seven hours.

A big rig is seen after it fell onto the 5 Freeway in Pacoima from an overpass on Jan. 9, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)
A big rig is seen after it fell onto the 5 Freeway in Pacoima from an overpass on Jan. 9, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)

The crash was reported just before 10 a.m. after the truck fell from the westbound 118 Freeway interchange, according to the California Highway Patrol’s incident log.

All northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway were closed through the Paxton Street area as a result, as well as the 118 Freeway overpass. Some commuters in the area became trapped for about an hour before traffic was able to be diverted off the freeway.

Motorists were asked to use the westbound 210 Freeway to northbound 5 Freeway, eastbound 118 Freeway to westbound 210 Freeway, or eastbound Highway 126 to the 5 Freeway.

Lanes on the 5 Freeway reopened shortly before 5 p.m, according to Caltrans.

Part of the concrete barrier on the overpass was knocked away by the impact, scattering a significant amount of debris across the roadway. Some oil had also spilled, according to the CHP incident summary.

The big rig came to rest lying perpendicular across the northbound 5 Freeway lanes, aerial video of the scene showed. CHP said the driver was conscious when authorities responded.

Officials did not say what could have caused the truck to plunge or whether Tuesday’s stormy conditions could have contributed. Several roads in the region were closed Tuesday amid heavy flooding and mudslides.