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# Fatal crash closes freeway lanes in Berkeley
- URL: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/10/03/traffic-safety/fatal-crash-closes-freeway-lanes-in-berkeley/
- Published: 2026-10-03T02:44:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-03T04:31:02.000Z
- Description: The crash was reported just before 3:30 p.m. on I-80 West near University Avenue.
- Author: Emilie Raguso
- Tags: Traffic safety, West Berkeley, Northwest Berkeley, #articles, #tips

A fatal crash on I-80 in Berkeley closed three lanes of the freeway Friday afternoon.

The crash was reported just before 3:30 p.m. on I-80 West near University Avenue.

A second collision nearby involved three vehicles but no injuries, the CHP said.

"When we drove by it looked like they were trying to get people out of a van whose top had smashed in," a reader told TBS.

Officer Cindy Ramirez, CHP Oakland spokeswoman, said the fatal crash involved a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck.

[Fatal crash closes I-80 lanes in BerkeleySeveral lanes on westbound I-80 are closed Friday as the CHP investigates a fatal crash at University Avenue in Berkeley.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/mstile-310x310-7fb633cd-38a7-4ea9-80fd-252a79ad9ef2.png)KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/797h9b1mb29rey3b-72c8b1ea-d6d3-44e8-9205-cad2fc6fbd83.jpg)](https://www.ktvu.com/video/fmc-j3pknc0xzwfqcxs1?ref=berkeleyscanner.com)

"I-80 westbound, west of University Avenue lanes #3-5 are closed due to a crash. The estimated time for reopening is not yet confirmed, consider using alternate routes," CHP Oakland [reported on Twitter](https://x.com/CHPoakland/status/2106154562805457387?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) at 3:49 p.m.

Arriving firefighters found five or six involved vehicles in the same vicinity, on I-80 West south of the pedestrian bridge, according to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner.

First responders found a pickup truck that had smashed into the back of a big rig. The impact crushed the front half of the pickup, according to video and reports from the scene.

The Alameda County coroner's office arrived at about 7 p.m.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/2026/10/80-accident-1.jpg)

Arriving firefighters found five or six involved vehicles in the same vicinity, on I-80 West south of the pedestrian bridge. [**Scanner Insider*](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/support/#become-a-scanner-insider-by-sharing-tips)

Multiple vehicles were towed from the crash scene.

A Sigalert — an emergency notification from the CHP — was in effect from 3:40 p.m. until 7:40 p.m., when the roadway reopened.

Just after publication, Ramirez said the investigation into the fatal collision is ongoing and that no other details could be released at this time about the person who died.

The Scanner has requested the individual's name from the coroner's office.

*This story was updated after publication as more information became available.*

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