The driver of a box truck was killed Tuesday when his vehicle slammed into the rear of a tractor-trailer on the Pomona (60) Freeway at the extreme west end of Jurupa Valley.
The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. in the No. 3 lane of the westbound 60, between Milliken Avenue and the Interstate 15 interchange, at the boundary separating Jurupa Valley and Ontario, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Juan Quintero said that the victim, whose identity was not immediately released, was traveling at freeway speeds when traffic ahead of him slowed.
“For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the box truck was unable to safely slow or stop his vehicle, and the front of the box truck collided with the rear of the semi trailer,” Quintero said. “The force of the impact inflicted fatal injuries to the driver, who was the sole occupant of the box truck.”
The semi operator was not injured, and no other vehicles were involved.
Because of the amount of wreckage and spilled fuel from the 25-foot-long box truck, CHP officers shut down four of five lanes, squeezing all westbound motorists into the carpool lane. The northbound I-15 transition to the 60 was also closed.
A SigAlert was issued about 1 p.m. due to the ensuing traffic jam.
Caltrans and hazardous materials crews spent over two hours clearing the mess, while officers conducted a preliminary investigation.
All lanes were reopened by 4:20 p.m.