LIVERMORE, Calif. (KGO) --
The crash was reported at 4:46 a.m. between Vineyard Avenue and Vallecitos Road, according to police Sgt. Steve Goard.
The big rig driver crashed into the three cars from behind, Goard said.
"Early indications are that traffic was slowing, and it kind of came up on him fast and he wasn't able to slow in time," Goard said.
A man in one of the cars was pronounced dead at the scene, while the big rig driver and two other people were taken to the hospital as a precaution because of complaints of pain, Goard said.
He said the highway is expected to be closed in both directions until around noon while authorities investigate the crash.
Police are advising motorists to seek an alternate route, such as Arroyo Road, around the scene of the crash.