Three-Truck Crash Covers Ortega Highway in Gravel

A collision of three big-rig trucks on Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano Wednesday left gravel all over the highway and backed up traffic for hours as crews worked to clear the thoroughfare.

The crash occurred about 2 p.m. Wednesday near the Greenstone Materials recycling facility at 32502 Ortega Highway, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Kinsey.

One of the trucks was attempting to exit the private driveway of the company onto Ortega Highway when a westbound truck attempting to turn into the driveway was blocked so the driver pulled over to wait, Kinsey said.

As the truck exiting pulled into traffic it collided with an eastbound truck on Ortega Highway, and the trucks crashed into the third truck that pulled over onto the shoulder, Kinsey said.

The drivers sustained minor injuries, but gravel spilled onto the highway and work crews spent hours towing the trucks out of the way and clearing the road of gravel, Kinsey said.

As of 6:30 p.m., only one lane was open as officers directed traffic in both directions through, Kinsey said.