A box truck and a sedan collided on northbound Interstate 5 near the Washington Street off‑ramp in San Diego’s Mission Hills area at approximately 9:44 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The truck crossed the center divider, spilling fuel onto the freeway and prompting the closure of multiple lanes in both directions as emergency crews responded.
How the crash affected traffic
Police call logs showed the truck briefly caught fire after crossing the divider. Video footage from FOX 5 and KUSI captured the vehicle perched over a guardrail, hanging into the southbound lanes. Debris scattered the roadway, and the impact damaged the center‑divider railing.
CHP initially diverted all southbound traffic off I‑5 at Sassafras Street, causing a backup that stretched north to State Route 163. The San Diego Union‑Tribune reported that major delays persisted for several hours.
Lane status during the afternoon
By about 4:15 p.m., all southbound lanes had reopened, but three northbound lanes remained blocked, according to the Union‑Tribune. Roughly five minutes later, FOX 5 and KUSI reported that two northbound lanes south of Washington Street were still closed for cleanup. Officials warned that remaining work could take several more hours and urged drivers to avoid the area.
Cleanup and roadway repairs
Caltrans dispatched a hazardous‑materials crew to address the fuel spill. FOX 5 reported that crews covered the spilled fuel with dirt before using a crane to remove the truck from the lanes. CHP stated that the truck driver’s company was responsible for the cleanup, while Caltrans handled repairs to the damaged divider railing.
Injuries reported after the collision
San Diego Fire‑Rescue officials said four occupants of the sedan were taken to a hospital for treatment of various injuries. Two people in the truck were evaluated on scene and declined hospital care, per reports from NBC 7 and 10News.
Earlier reports varied on the number of hospital transports. The Union‑Tribune, citing CHP spokesperson Officer Michael Meza, initially reported that three people had been taken to hospitals, with the extent of their injuries unknown at the time.
Cause of the crash remains under investigation
Officials have not yet determined a definitive cause. Preliminary findings cited by FOX 5 and KUSI suggest the truck may have struck a Volkswagen Jetta, causing the sedan to spin out before the truck hit a wall. No final determination had been announced as of the latest updates Tuesday afternoon.
