Barstow, CA (June 12, 2026) – A multi-vehicle accident on westbound Interstate 40 near Mile Marker 10 shut down all lanes late on Thursday night, June 11. A white GMC pickup went off the roadway, and a semi-truck also left the road and came to rest, partially blocking the highway. The truck and trailer separated on impact, with the trailer’s rear axle hanging off the road’s right-hand side.
A Cadillac was also found about 50 feet off the roadway on the right-hand side, and a Subaru came to rest half off the road, centered against the right side of the truck. The semi was hauling a 53-foot box trailer carrying approximately 53,000 pounds of mail. Multiple tow trucks were requested, including heavy-duty units, to clear the disabled vehicles.
Roughly 30 gallons of diesel spilled onto the roadway, but no waterways were reported to be affected. The highway was shut down at Hidden Springs while emergency units worked to clear the road and contain the spill.
No names or injuries were confirmed in the initial report on the crash. Officials are still piecing together the sequence of events that led to the collision, and updates will be released as more details become available.
We hope all those involved are safe and doing well.
What Drivers Should Know About Semi-Truck Crashes on California Highways
Semi-truck crashes on major California highways like Interstate 40 usually involve a combination of factors: vehicle size, cargo weight, and road geometry all make these collisions more complex than typical two-car wrecks. When a large truck jackknifes, the trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, creating an unpredictable hazard that can affect multiple lanes at once. The sheer size of a fully loaded commercial truck makes it very difficult to stop or redirect once it loses control.
Cargo spills are a common secondary concern after semi-truck crashes. Diesel fuel on a roadway creates a slipping hazard for other drivers and may require a coordinated cleanup before traffic can safely resume. Depending on the volume spilled and proximity to drainage systems, environmental agencies may also be notified to assess the risk to surrounding land and water.
Full road closures are sometimes necessary when large vehicles block all travel lanes, especially at night when visibility is reduced, and the risk of secondary crashes is higher.
