Crash Prompts Lane Closures on State Route 52 in Santee

Updated September 4 @ 3:30 p.m.

Getting into Santee by the SR-52 took a lot longer Tuesday afternoon, but the eastbound lanes are open again after hours of traffic delay due to a multiple car accident that required Lifeflight helicopter rescue near the Santo Road offramp. 

The accident occurred around 12 p.m. and involved three vehicles, including a semi-trailer that began leaking fuel, according to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page.

Traffic was at a near standstill, with most freeway lanes effectively blocked by the accident wreckage and when the Lifeflight helicopter rescued the injured around 1 p.m. eastbound SR-52 was completely shutdown.

According to the CHP incident page, at times during the stand-still traffic cars attempted to reverse back up the Santo Rd. and further accidents nearly occurred.

Removal of the wreckage and a fire engine with mechanical problems led the far two-lanes to be closed until about 2:45 p.m., with traffic using the right and emergency lanes.

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