PASADENA - A big rig smashed into the center divider of the westbound 210 Freeway early Thursday, resulting in the closure of three lanes and snarling traffic at the start of the morning rush hour, officials said.

At least one person was hospitalized following the 3:35 a.m. accident near the North Rosemead Boulevard exit, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The injured person was taken by ambulance to Arcadia Methodist Hospital.

A sig alert affecting the carpool, and the No. 1 and 2 lanes was expected to remain in effect until 7:30 a.m., CHP officer John Seumanutafa said.

This event caused many people to be late for lots of things. My wife was taking my son to school and arrived 30 minutes late. I imagine that many people were late because the accident was not cleared until almost 9am.

The biggest complaint I have is with the city of Arcadia. With the 210 freeway backed up to Covina, the stop  lights at Santa Anita and Foothill and Baldwin and Foothill were out - no blinking just out, there was not an Arcadia PD officer in sight to direct traffic. If you go to the City of Arcadia's web site the only option to contact the city is by phone or snail mail, no emails listed for anyone.

Cities need to learn that emergencies like this need to be treated as an emergency, and not something to ignore.

I am new at blogging, but may end up having lots of opinions.

My question for this blog is:

Has Madeleine Albright had any thoughts about changing her opinion on North Korea, and would she salute the leaders with a toast now?