THE truck driver involved in this morning’s horror smash on the Monash Freeway said he was confused by road markings moments before the crash.

Three women were injured in the crash involving the truck and three cars just before 8am this morning at Dandenong North.

A 40-year-old woman had a miraculous escape after being trapped in a car for half-an-hour with neck and back injuries, and was taken to the Alfred Hospital.

Her car was so severely crushed that initial reports suggested it had been split in two.

media_camera A woman was trapped in the car for half-an-hour. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Two other women were treated at the scene for minor injuries and taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.

The roadway has since been cleared.

Truck driver Steve Smith said he became confused by the yellow and white lines painted on the road as part of widening works on the freeway and only looked up to see traffic had stopped seconds before impact.

media_camera The back of the car. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“It was like a couple of seconds, then bang,” he told 3AW.

Police are investigating the accident but said the painted lines were not a cause for confusion.

The driver of the truck, a 54-year-old Hampton Park man is expected to be charged on summons.

Emergency services said a car and truck collided just before 8am.

Earlier, only the right-hand lane was getting through inbound before Stud Road.

media_camera The car was so severely crushed that initial reports suggested it had split in two. Picture: Valeriu Campan

media_camera Another car involved in the smash. Picture: Valeriu Campan

media_camera Damaged vehicles after the crash. Picture: 7 News

Originally published as Truckie ‘confused’ before Monash crash