On August 10, 2017 at approximately 1430 hours, Mr. Leppert was driving a 2016 Freightliner/Greatdane Tractor/Box Trailer Combination southbound on Interstat 6 sout of Grapevine Road in the #4 lane, at approximately 55-60 miles per Hour. Mr Gallegos was driving a 1998 Freightliner Etnyr Tractor / Tank Trailer Combination, southbound on Interstate 5, south of Grapevine Road, in the #4 lane directly ahead of Mr. Leppert, at approximately 35-40 miles per hour. Mr. Leppert was driving at an unsafe speed for the slower moving vehicle ahead and allowed the front of the 2016 Freightliner to collide with the rear of the 1998 Freightliner. Mr. Leppert’s vehicle caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames. A brush fire started west of Interstate 5 as a result of the collision and burned approximately 338 acres. The tank trailer on the 1998 Freightliner was ruptured and approximately 6000 gallons of how liquid asphalt was released. All southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed for approximately 90 minutes to extinguish the fires. The number one lane was reopened at 1557 hours. Both vehicles sustained major damage as a result of the collision. Mr. Leppert sustained moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.
Drugs and/or Alcohol are not expected as a contributing factor in this collision at this time.