Tractor-trailer crashes through I-80 railing near Truckee, cab dangles over bridge

A tractor-trailer truck crashed through an Interstate 80 railing near Truckee, California, injuring the driver and leaving its cab dangling 80 feet over a bridge.

The crash happened around 10:45 a.m. Friday near Floriston Way, just west of the California-Nevada border, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash shut down all eastbound lanes for several hours.

Photos released by CHP showed the overturned tractor-trailer teetering over the edge of a bridge, with the cab hanging in midair and the freeway railing badly damaged.

No other vehicles were involved. The driver was reportedly ejected from the truck and injured, South Tahoe Now reported. Care Flight, an air-and-ground ambulance service, was called to transport the driver.

Around 12:30 p.m., CHP estimated the closure would continue for about two more hours.

The crash came at a bad time for Bay Area travelers heading to Nevada for the Burning Man festival, which was set to begin Sunday in Black Rock City and typically draws around 80,000 people.

Later updates indicated crews were able to separate the tractor from its trailer and reopen most of the highway, although cleanup continued and at least one eastbound lane remained closed for a time.

Shortly after 4:30 a.m. Saturday, all lanes of eastbound I-80 near Floriston were open.

The Independent has contacted CHP for comment.