FREEWAY ACCIDENT: I-580 crash involving big rig kills one; freezes traffic

October 26, 2010

Castro Valley – An unidentified woman was killed while another suffered minor injuries when a car was trapped under a big rig Tuesday noon, the California Highway Patrol said.

The accident, which involved a big-rig and two cars, was reported 12:09 pm. A silver vehicle driven by an unidentified woman was trapped under a big rig on the eastbound Interstate 580, east of Grove Way near Center Street, CHP Officer John Short said.

The vehicle also caught fire, which was put out by a passerby with a fire extinguisher. The driver of the vehicle died at the scene.

Another car, driven by another woman, also got involved in the accident. She suffered minor injuries and was taken to Eden Medical Center. The driver of the big rig was not hurt but his identity remains unavailable.

The crash blocked the three middle lanes of the five-lane I-580, Short said. All lanes reopened around 3 pm, according to CHP Public Information Officer Rob Tuazon.

Aside from I-580, the accident also affected I-238 and I-880. Tuazon also said that the cause of the crash is still being investigated.