Freeway Crash Leads To State Of Emergency

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County. That's where a fiery crash in a freeway tunnel left three people dead

Sunday, October 14th 2007, 7:30 pm

By: News On 6

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County. That's where a fiery crash in a freeway tunnel left three people dead and closed down Interstate 5 in both directions.

The declaration will allow the state to deploy emergency workers and equipment and give aid to local government.

Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of Friday night's pileup that engulfed more than two dozen trucks and other vehicles in flames.

The crash in Santa Clarita killed two men and an infant and injured at least 10 people.

The southbound lanes of I-5 are closed for two-and-a-half miles; the northbound side is closed for about a mile. Officials hope to reopen the southbound lanes by Tuesday using detours. Northbound lanes could reopen 24 hours later.

Commuters face the prospect of a traffic nightmare with the work week set to resume tomorrow.