Traffic backed up on Highway 99 near Atwater, due to overturned big rig

2:00 p.m.

Traffic remains backed up on Highway 99 near Atwater, due to a solo big rig crash Sunday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The incident was reported at 7:30 a.m. after the big rig was traveling southbound on Highway 99 near Applegate Road, according to Officer John Patterson.

The big rig was pulling a trailer containing 39,000 pounds of meat. For unknown reasons, the driver of the big rig veered to the left, traveling across the center median. The big rig traveled onto the northbound side of the freeway and overturned, Patterson said.

The driver sustained minor injuries, but no one else was hurt.

Traffic on the freeway was immediately blocked, and CHP officers diverted traffic onto surface streets.

In addition to the crash, Patterson said some of the meat spilled out onto the freeway, after crews tried to move the big rig's trailer.

As of 2 p.m., CHP said one lane of traffic was open on both sides of the freeway in the area. Patterson said the southbound side of the freeway was also affected because crews are repairing a guardrail damaged during the crash.

Patterson said it's unknown when both sides of the freeway will be completely open.

-- Sun-Star staff