A Wednesday morning collision between a truck and one or more vehicles on eastbound I-580 near the North Flynn Road exit blocked commuters in both directions, and sent the tractor-trailer sliding down the mountainside, according to a motorist.
The witness, who was traveling west on I-580 at about 9:40 a.m., said traffic was halted on both sides of the freeway as rescue vehicles attempted to reach what appeared to be an accident involving a semi and one or more vehicles.
The individual said the big-rig, pulled over on the I-580 shoulder, then began sliding off the freeway in a moment so "dramatic" that the stopped motorists could only stare in disbelief as the incident unfolded.
"It looked like a toy," the person said. "It was amazing to see that giant truck on the side of the mountain and how far it had gone down."
A bulletin by MantecaCommuter said the tractor-trailer truck was on its side stuck in brush 100 feet below the freeway. (Article posted here.)
The California Highway Patrol traffic site initially reported the freeway collision shortly after 8 a.m.
CHP officials could not be reached to confirm the accident details.
