Big rig catches fire after Highway 99 crash near Stockton

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – A big rig went up in smoke along Highway 99 near Stockton early Friday morning, causing a traffic mess into the commute hours.

The incident started a little after 2 a.m. along northbound Highway 99, just north of Eight Mile Road.

Officials say a big rig caught fire after it crashed into the concrete shoulder. Exactly what led up to the big rig crashing is unclear.

Firefighters say the driver got out unharmed, but the big rig was soon fully engulfed by flames.

Debris cleanup stretched through the morning and continued into the late afternoon.