Big rig crash, fuel spill causes traffic nightmare on NB I-680 in Sunol

SUNOL, Calif. (KGO) -- Shortly after 1:45 a.m. Monday, a big rig jackknifed on Northbound 680 near Vargas Road. Police said seconds later, another tanker carrying fuel clipped the big rig and began spewing fuel all over the roadway. Two other cars were also involved in the crash.

The mess turned Northbound I-680 into a parking lot.

"It's just the amount of fuel and the logistics of getting it off the roadway," CHP officer Tyler Hahn said. "Whatever fuel may have gotten into the dirt, it's going to have to be cleaned up. So, it's going to make for a long day."

Long it was. As the sun rose, some drivers took the risk and began turning around on the freeway. However, people like Jose Allaro were blocked in. He was supposed to be at work in Pittsburg by 4:30 a.m.

"I can't make it because I'm too late," Allaro said.

What a way to start a Monday.

"I've just been sitting here since 2:40 a.m.," Jennifer Sandoval said. "I was trying to get to Livermore to go to work and I'm stuck."

Sandoval told ABC7 News she sent pictures to her job to just to prove where she was. Carson Davis was headed home, so he took each hour in stride.

"Oh I've slept like everybody else," Davis said. "Everybody had their lights on, motors running and everybody finally turned the motors off, turned the lights off."

Around 8:45 a.m. lanes were reopened. No serious injuries were reported from the crash scene.