Semi loses load of rebar, triggers chain reaction

PORTLAND, Ore. - A semi truck lost a load of rebar on Interstate 5 Monday night, triggering a series of events that forced the closure of the northbound lanes for hours.

The semi lost its load at the Interstate Bridge, which would have been enough to cause a traffic mess in and of itself, but the lost load also triggered a crash two miles south.

That is where another semi plowed into a pickup truck. At least one other vehicle was involved in the crash as well.

All of the northbound lanes of I-5 were immediately shut down so emergency crews could respond to the scene.

According to ODOT officials at the scene, no one was seriously hurt, although there were reports that one woman was trapped in her vehicle. Rescue crews reportedly got her out.

Meanwhile, I-5 quickly turned into a parking lot as traffic backed up behind the scene. Drivers were being detoured off I-5 at the Lombard Street exit.