KELBAKER, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> A fiery crash involving two semi-trucks along eastbound Interstate 40 near Kelbaker Road early Tuesday morning.
California Highway Patrol offers say the crash occurred at or around 5:52am on June 16, 2026 on the eastbound I-40 about a mile after the Kelbaker Road exit in the right lane.
The driver of a white semi tractor-trailer reportedly struck the back of a semi- tractor-trailer, causing it to catch fire in traffic lanes.
The flames from the cab of the semi did spread to nearby brush, burning less than an acre. Fire crews from San Bernardino County were able to contain the flames after 3 hours.
California Highway Patrol officers issued a SigAlert for eastbound lanes. They had initially closed the both lanes for a hand full an hour as officers, firefighters, and Caltrans worked to clear the roadway of the hazard. However, as of 11pm both those lanes remained closed to all traffic. Traffic was using the center divider to bypass the crash scene.
It’s unclear exactly when they would reopen.
Everybody was able to escape without major injuries.
Additional details were limited at this time. We will update this story with more information when the CHP’s preliminary accident report is available. This incident will be under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Needles Office.
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