California

Port-a-Potty Tanker Messes Up Commute in San Jose

The commute in San Jose was a stinkin' mess Wednesday morning after a big-rig carrying a load of port-a-potties tipped over on the highway just before the height of the head-to-work rush.

Luckily, though, the toilets were empty. There was only cleaning fluid inside the portable latrines when the accident was reported about 5:15 a.m. on southbound Interstate 280, in a chain-reaction collision that stretched out from 4th Street to 11th Street, California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Rasmussen said.

The driver of a black BMW had a solo spinout, prompting him to crash into the tanker, causing a chain reaction, Rasmussen said. Five other vehicles were involved, but the CHP said all the injuries were minor.

There were about 100 gallons of deodorizer on board the rig, San Jose Fire Battalion Chief Jose Guerrero said. The manager of the sewage tanker said he thinks his driver may not have seen the BMW spin out because the lights on the side of the road weren't on.

There was no immediate reason given for why the driver spun out, though Guerrero told NBC Bay Area he thinks slick roads might be to blame.

The driver did not give his full name, and although he was speaking after the accident, he went to the hospital to get checked out.

The CHP is investigating the accident and did not immediately make any arrests.

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