Rain slicked roads cause multiple crashes on SoCal freeways

EAGLE ROCK, Calif. (FOX 11) - The storm moving into Southern California left roadways slick, causing multiple accidents and snarling traffic for the Thursday morning commute.

One crash, reported around 2:15 a.m. Thursday on the 134 Freeway, led to a semi-truck crashing into a guardrail and careening down an embankment near Eagle Rock.

The driver of a big rig said he was traveling on the eastbound side of the freeway when a gray Nissan sedan carrying a man and a woman lost control and hit the semi-truck.

The big rig driver said this led to a chain reaction, causing him to lose control. The big rig crashed into a guard rail and went down an embankment.

The two passengers in the Nissan were taken to a hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.

While the cause of the crash remained under investigation, officials noted that the slick roadways due to rain may have been a factor.

Meanwhile on the 101 Freeway in the Hollywood Hills area, another big rig crash was reported on the northbound side.

The semi-truck erupted into flames, and the driver was injured.

According to an National Weather Service statement, the heaviest rain was expected in Orange County and inland areas late Thursday morning.