A semi-truck hauling roughly 40,000 pounds of ice cream overturned on southbound Interstate 5 near Encinitas Boulevard early Tuesday, Sept. 8. The crash shut down four lanes and sent fuel leaking onto the freeway.

The truck tipped over shortly after 5:50 a.m., the California Highway Patrol reported. The wreck blocked lanes 1 through 4 of southbound I-5, leaving only the HOV lane open to traffic, Caltrans District 11 said on X.

Crews responded to remove the vehicle and contain the fuel spill.

By 7:30 a.m., all closures remained in place. The CHP Oceanside Area office confirmed on X that every lane except the HOV lane was still shut down. The agency said the massive ice cream load was adding to the extensive cleanup process.

@KOGORadio: "I-5 SB at Encinitas Boulevard: All lanes, except the HOV lane, are currently closed due to an overturned semi-truck (reports say filled with ice cream)."

Caltrans later reported on X that the semi had been righted and the far left lane reopened alongside the HOV lane. The agency estimated roughly three more hours before all lanes would reopen, meaning southbound commuters faced potential delays well into the late morning.

In a subsequent Caltrans update, lanes 1 and 2 and the HOV lane were open, while lanes 3 and 4 remained closed for continued fuel cleanup.

NBC 7 San Diego reported that drivers were asked to use alternate routes while the closure remained in effect. The San Diego Union-Tribune also covered the crash.

The CHP has not released information on what caused the overturn or whether the driver was injured. No final all-clear time had been announced as of the latest Caltrans update.

Southbound commuters on I-5 through Encinitas can check Caltrans District 11 and CHP Oceanside social media accounts for lane updates throughout Sept. 8.