San Pablo westbound I-80 remains closed after big rig collision, loose chickens

Emergency crews are still cleaning up the scene of a traffic collision involving a big rig hauling chickens that has snarled the Thursday morning commute in the East Bay, according to the California Highway Patrol. All lanes of westbound Interstate Highway 80 in San Pablo remain blocked as of 6:30 a.m. Thursday due to the collision and subsequent blaze that destroyed the big rig, the CHP said.

Fire crews are currently helping the CHP and Contra Costa County Animal Services clean the dead and live chickens at the scene, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman Steve Hill said.

The CHP said the collision was first reported at 3:42 a.m. at San Pablo Dam Road.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District crews arrived at the scene at 3:55 a.m. to find the big rig hauling the poultry fully engulfed in flames and “chickens everywhere” throughout the collision scene, Hill said. The big rig driver was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The CHP said vehicles are still being guided off the freeway at the San Pablo Dam Road off-ramp and re-entering the freeway on the San Pablo Dam Road on-ramp.

The CHP said there is no estimated time of reopening, but Hill said the battalion chief at the scene estimated the roadway will be closed for at least a few more hours.