High winds toppled a big rig that had been traveling along Highway 111 on Tuesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported at 9:35 a.m. The freightliner had been pulling an empty trailer in the No. 2 lane on northbound Highway 111, just north of Overture Drive, when it was pushed over onto its side by winds.
The driver, 38-year-old Ruben Pimentel of Lomita, escaped injury but about 10 gallons of diesel fuel from the truck's gas tank spilled onto the dirt shoulder, CHP officials said. Officers were forced to close the No. 2, or slow, northbound lane of Highway for several hours while crews cleaned up the mess.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The California Highway Patrol advises all drivers traveling with high profile vehicles to be extra cautious in high wind areas. Drivers carrying loads on their vehicles also need to insure loads are properly secured, officials said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
