North I-15 reopening after tanker overturned

Northbound lanes of Interstate 15 south of state Route 56 began to reopen Friday morning, about nine hours after a truck and one of two fuel tankers it was hauling overturned late Thursday night.

Motorists were diverted onto Poway Road or allowed to use the HOV lanes during morning commute, but traffic was still badly snarled. Two left lanes were opened before 8:30 a.m. as some cleanup continued, and two more lanes opened by 10:30 a.m.

About 2,200 gallons of fuel spilled from the ruptured tanker onto the freeway and into a storm drain following the 11:30 p.m. accident, San Diego fire-rescue officials said.

The truck driver said he blacked out before the accident, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Sofia Mosqueda said. The driver was evaluated by paramedics but was not injured.

The second tanker, which was carrying about 4,400 gallons of fuel, remained upright.

The overturned tanker contained about 4,300 gallons of fuel, and there was a large gash in the side of the tank, fire officials said.

Two empty tankers were sent to the site so fuel that had not spilled could be pumped out of both of the tanks involved in the wreck. The process took several hours, then two large tow trucks uprighted the overturned truck and tanker and hauled them away.

Hazardous materials crews continued cleaning up the spilled fuel and oil along the right shoulder.