CASTLE ROCK, Wash. — A semi-truck hauling a large load of juice overturned Sunday on Interstate 5, blocking all northbound lanes and causing hours-long delays, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The crash happened near milepost 49 by Powell Road in Cowlitz County. Emergency crews, firefighters, and law enforcement responded to the scene after the truck rolled over and came to rest across the entire northbound side of the interstate.

^{Photo credit: Washington State Department of Transportation}

The Washington State Patrol said in a press memo that the truck driver was cited for negligent driving following the crash.

All northbound lanes were immediately closed, and traffic was diverted off Exit 49 toward Castle Rock and Toutle while crews worked to stabilize the scene. Travelers reported heavy backups stretching for miles behind the closure.

WSDOT later announced that responders had shifted the overturned semi into the right lane, which allowed the left and center lanes to reopen, according to officials on scene.

Before the truck could be towed, workers were required to unload its cargo — a significant quantity of juice — according to WSDOT, which added considerable time to the cleanup process. The right lane remained blocked as crews manually offloaded the product and prepared the semi for recovery.

^{Photo credit: Washington State Department of Transportation}

Drivers continued to experience slow traffic even after the partial reopening, as vehicles were funneled through the narrow clearance next to the recovery operation.

The incident was officially cleared at 4:05 p.m., according to KGW, with all lanes reopened and the rollover scene resolved.

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