CHP investigating fiery big rig crash I-680 in Walnut Creek

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- East Bay drivers hoping for a light Friday commute got the complete opposite instead.

A fiery big rig accident closed both directions of Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek for hours Friday morning.

A burned-out shell is all that's left of a big-rig hauler. There's a giant hole in its gas tank, the aftermath of a huge fire which erupted from the truck on northbound I-680.

"The driver claims he had a blow-out. One of his tires actually deflated," said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Joe Johnson.

It caused the big-rig to jump the center divide k-rail and ride it about 500 feet, spewing up chunks of concrete, which slammed into oncoming cars. Multiple drivers were injured. A tow truck driver said some windshields were shattered.

"She wound up with glass in her face. They took her, treated her," said the tow truck driver.

The nightmare commute went on for hours. Traffic was brought to a screeching halt.

"This is an awful way to start my day," said one driver.

The CHP say the driver suffered minor injuries.

The truck was registered to Top Raman Trucking in Tracy, no affiliation with the food company.

The Department of Transportation says the company has a clean safety record. The owner of the truck said the tires on the 18 wheeler were new.

"Within two weeks, I put on brand new tires," said Mandib Singh, owner of Top Raman Trucking Company.

A CHP investigation is underway.