Big Rig Crash Leaves Cab Dangling Over I-80 Bridge Near Floriston

Around 10:45 a.m. on Friday, a solo semi-tractor-trailer lost control on a bridge near Floriston in Nevada County, causing the cab to flip over the structure and hang precariously above the river below. The driver was ejected from the vehicle, sustained major injuries, and was air-lifted to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. The remainder of the truck overturned on the highway, creating a hazardous scene that required extensive emergency response.

New York Post

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) dispatched crews to the site, securing the area and directing traffic away from the bridge. CHP officials warned motorists of a “substantial traffic backup” and urged drivers to slow down, use caution, and give emergency personnel space while working. Caltrans’ QuickMap later showed that eastbound I-80 traffic remained backed up well into the evening, with crews continuing to clear debris and stabilize the bridge.

New York Post

The incident prompted the closure of eastbound I-80 for several hours. Initial traffic was halted at Hirschdale and then at Overland Trail. By late afternoon, one lane had been reopened, but significant delays persisted into the night as the wreckage was removed and the bridge inspected. The blockage affected regional travel through the Sierra Nevada corridor, a key route for commuters and freight moving between California and Nevada.

KCRA 3

Meteorological forecasts called for showers and isolated thunderstorms across the Sierra on Friday, conditions that can reduce traction on mountainous roadways. While the reports did not link the weather directly to the crash, the combination of steep terrain and adverse weather underscores the challenges of maintaining safety on high-elevation highways.

KCRA 3