Caltrans inspects overpass that dumped debris onto I-880 in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Caltrans inspectors were out Tuesday looking at a freeway overpass that dumped tons of debris onto passing motorists.

The incident happened last night along Interstate 880 in Oakland, at the 23rd Avenue overpass.

One driver told ABC7 News he saw the whole thing happen right in front of him.

"I saw the guard rail and the fencing just peel loose essentially... One section came loose, pulled the other sections like a zipper," said Ian Steplowski.

Steplowski says he first thought it was an earthquake or an accident on the overpass above as he and nine other cars founds themselves right in the middle of a sea of falling debris. Heavy metal fencing and rails came down on Interstate 880.

"I thought maybe it was an earthquake. I couldn't really explain it. I was just terrified for a long second there that that overpass was going to come down on me," Steplowski said. "We were lucky, we were very lucky yesterday that no one was killed."

Several drivers had minor injuries, but no one was seriously hurt.

Cellphone video shows firefighters and workers using a blow torch to cut up the debris last night.

Several inspectors were out on the same overpass, trying to figure out exactly what happened and trying to making sure nothing else is about to fall.

"It definitely could've been worse and we're taking this very seriously and we want to find out what caused this," said Caltrans spokesperson Bob Haus.

Caltrans is in the process of dismantling the 68-year-old overpass with a plan to replace it over the next two years.