LOS ALTOS, CA — A serious crash on Highway 280 in Los Altos triggered a hazardous materials emergency and forced multiple lane closures Thursday afternoon, creating heavy traffic in the area.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident happened shortly before 1:00 p.m. when a truck carrying barrels of bleach and muriatic acid slammed into the center divider. The impact caused several containers to rupture, spilling hazardous chemicals onto the roadway.
All southbound lanes were initially shut down, with traffic diverted to the Magdalena Avenue off-ramp. Roughly an hour later, one lane was reopened, but officials warned that it could take several more hours to fully restore traffic flow.
On the northbound side, the Santa Clara County Fire Department closed two lanes while hazmat crews worked to contain the spill. By 3:40 p.m., only two northbound lanes and one southbound lane were open, and drivers were urged to avoid the area.
Despite the chemical spill, firefighters confirmed there was no immediate risk to the public. The truck’s occupants managed to exit the vehicle on their own and were not injured. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
