2 Killed as Big Rig Mishap Triggers Series of Crashes
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WEST COVINA — Two motorists died and eight others were injured Thursday afternoon when the trailer of a big rig slipped off its mount and set off a series of truck and car collisions on the eastbound San Bernardino Freeway in West Covina, authorities said.
The accident occurred at 2:54 p.m. and involved 12 cars and two other big rigs, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators said the crash was caused by a trailer truck that was hauling a load of cars.
“The trailer separated from the tractor and caused some type of chain reaction,” said Officer Richard Perez, a CHP spokesman.
The names of the victims and their conditions had not been released late Thursday.
Emergency crews shut down all eastbound lanes for more than two hours near the Vincent Avenue exit. Two lanes were then opened for several hours but traffic remained backed up for several miles. Late Thursday night, the CHP again shut down all eastbound lanes to investigate the crash.
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