The Associated Press
Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said the 44-year-old man suffered rib fractures and severe injuries to his left hand but was conscious and alert. A fire helicopter landed on the freeway to fly him to a hospital.
The 1:02 p.m. accident prompted the drivers of the big-rig and a Chevy Tahoe to swerve to avoid the crane boom and collide, said California Highway Patrol Officer Leland Tang.
The truck and SUV then struck the center divider before hitting the crane boom, Tang said. The drivers of those vehicles had minor injuries.
Northbound traffic on I-405 came to halt in the pass which carries traffic through the Santa Monica Mountains between the west side of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, where it intersects with U.S. 101, one of the busiest interchanges in the nation.
Traffic on the southbound side slowed when the helicopter landed on the freeway, Tang said.
Thousands of motorists were stuck for at least three hours in the pass, which has few exits.
State occupational safety authorities will investigate why the crane fell over.