CHP Releases More Information on Fatal Crash that Closed 101 North of Willits

[Photo by Chris Brannan]

This is a press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On September 29, 2018, at approximately 1338 hours, a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up, with two female occupants, was being driven northbound on US-101, near Reynolds Highway, north of Willits, CA. at an unknown rate of speed.Robert Maffia, of Ukiah, CA., was driving his 1997 Peterbilt tractor/trailer combination, southbound on US-101, near Reynolds Highway, at approximately 55 MPH.For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Dodge lost control of her vehicle and it crossed into the southbound lanes, directly into the path of the Peterbilt.Mr. Maffia took evasive actions; however, despite his efforts, the Peterbilt collided with the driver’s side of the Dodge.The Dodge spun out of the roadway and came to rest on the west shoulder of US-101.The Peterbilt came to rest in the northbound lanes of US-101.The load of lumber being hauled by the Peterbilt, spilled off the trailer and into the roadway, blocking both directions of traffic on US-101.

The driver and passenger of the Dodge were pronounced deceased at the scene.Their names are currently being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. It is unknown at this time of drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision.

Mr. Maffia was treated at the scene for minor injuries.He was determined not to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Due to the recovery of the vehicles, scene clean up, and the collision investigation, the northbound and southbound lanes of US-101 were closed for approximately two-hours.One-way traffic control was then established for continued collision scene investigation and clean up efforts.The California Highway Patrol Garberville Area is investigating this collision.

Earlier chapter:

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41 Comments
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Dan F
Guest
Dan F
5 years ago

RIP Ladies!!!

Mr Right
Guest
Mr Right
5 years ago

Distracted, drugged, drunk or drinking, eating, playing, texting, talking – obviously not DRIVING.

Angielee stanaberry
Guest
Angielee stanaberry
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

[edit]..u don’t know her…she had her niece I’m the car…she wouldn’t have don’t ANYTHIMG to put that girl in danger Intentionally…why run your mouth when u have no idea what happened?

Kayla branham
Guest
Kayla branham
5 years ago

Indeed

Bree
Guest
Bree
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

You really need to stop with your negative comments. These 2 ladies were my family and my family is hurting very badly. I can guarantee drugs and drinking were not a factor. One of the ladies was maybe 12 years old. If all you have is negativity to share then get the hell out of here with that BS. I pray you and your family never ever have to endure this kind of pain. My family doesnt need your bs

Kayla branham
Guest
Kayla branham
5 years ago
Reply to  Bree

PRAYERS for u and ur family I’m sooo very sorry

D
Guest
D
5 years ago
Reply to  Bree

I am very sorry for you loss.

7910FD
Guest
7910FD
5 years ago
Reply to  Bree

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My son happened to be one of the first on the accident scene and helped extricate your relatives from the truck as it burned. I want you to know that everything that could be done for them was done. My son has been dramatically affected by this tragedy and the loss of your loved ones. We pray for you during this time.

Kym Kemp
Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  7910FD

Thank your son for helping out. That must have been so hard.

Ashley
Guest
Ashley
5 years ago
Reply to  7910FD

Tell your son thank you from the bottom of our hearts. That was my niece. Our family truly appreciates it.

Honestly
Guest
Honestly
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

They call it oil well Hill for a reason. It is always super slick through there. Condolences to the family and to the commenters just be nice someday it could be someone you love.

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
5 years ago
Reply to  Honestly

It is called oil well hill because believe it or not there was once a man who set up a oil rig at the bittom of the hill to extract a low grade kerosine type oil that could ve burned. A little bit of Mendo History

Jack
Guest
Jack
5 years ago
Reply to  Honestly

“They call it oil well Hill for a reason. It is always super slick through there.”. What causes the road to be slick in that area? If it’s slick and the reason for the slickness is known it should be fixed. But, if what you’re saying is correct, what is it that causes the slickness in that stretch of highway?
Sorry for the loss to the family, friends and others, including the diesel driver effected by this terrible loss of life. What a terrible loss of life, especially the child.

J
Guest
J
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

These kind of commenters universally attract some horrible stuff into their lives so don’t waist any energy on them, they are taken care of. Considering only an unhappy person would ever speculate on a strangers death in such an awful manner, you already know this is just a horrid human with nothing good in their life who contributes nothing to the planet and never fear, this person is only attracting more things to be miserable about. Sorry to the family, please never ever ever read the comments on this site if the article is about you or someone you care about. You don’t need to see what some worthless, human garbage made up.

Sparkle Mahn
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  J

Not just this site. Still, tragedy brings out the demented. RIP to the victims.

J
Guest
J
5 years ago
Reply to  Sparkle Mahn

Thank you, I meant to say that, yes, almost any site really. I wish we lived an world where you could receive comforting words after a love one died from reading the comments but sadly not everyone has respect or kindness.

Anti troll league
Guest
Anti troll league
5 years ago
Reply to  J

Respect and kindness should be more common even when responding to comments.

Nikki
Guest
Nikki
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

Excuse me but speculation is rude and uncalled for…bit was the first rain of the season and the roads were slick so anything could have happened… So maybe keep your negative comments to yourself…. Families of the laides that died do not need to see this kind of crap…. Grow up

Jeanette
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

Mr Right, I’m not sure why you are so motivated to make comments that are always, negative, mean, incentive, arrogant, antagonistic…etc. I feel very sorry for you. You seem to be completely void of love, compassion, sensitivity to others, and many more of the positive characters that allow most people to live full happy lives. It is so sad that you chose to miss out on such priceless fruits.

Charles ford
Guest
Charles ford
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

Why are people so quick to start throwing accusations around when they don’t know anything about the people who were involved in the accident can’t people like u keep your mouths shut and let the family mourn in peace instead of having to hear this type of bullshit. [edit] it was the first rain of the year and the road was slippery there was 4 other accidents within an hour of this one are u going to say that none of these people were paying attention that they were all doing something that they shouldn’t have been doing not unless your to stupid [edit] and think that accidents do happen even when your doing everything that your suppose to be doing

Miguel
Guest
Miguel
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

Armchair crime scene investigator wannabe. Just zip it Mr. Far from right.

Ms. Have some compassion
Guest
Ms. Have some compassion
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

Two people just lost their lives; their friends and family lost people they loved. Could you possibly have the least bit of compassion? The roads were slick that day; your assumption that texting or drugs/alcohol were a factor are unfounded and more than likely inaccurate. Shame on you!

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
5 years ago

Newly wet road… lots’a oil and other debris on it. Very slick.
Be careful out there.

Divide by Zero
Guest
Divide by Zero
5 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

Really, the road depicted in the photo looks wet? Could’ve fooled me.

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
5 years ago
Reply to  Divide by Zero

Well… I guess damp. It is wet now. So be careful.

J
Guest
J
5 years ago
Reply to  Divide by Zero

Damp from the first rain is more dangerous then drenched from the 20th rain of the season. Now stop talking crap and judging and go do something good with your life.

Divide by Zero
Guest
Divide by Zero
5 years ago
Reply to  J

Rubbish, I ride that route frequently and did so on that day, on a motorcycle. By the way, an observation is not a judgement. You point a finger and a thousand point back at you, because it’s you talking crap.

read
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Divide by Zero

It did fool you.

George
Guest
5 years ago

Gee, Mr. Right, thanks for doing the CHP’s investigation for them. They obviously lack your brilliant insight, and depend on mere plebian fact gathering.

Michael R Ross
Guest
5 years ago

Why is it called “Oil Well Hill”? I`ve heard an exploratory well was drilled there. Does anyone know anything about this? Isolated gas is occasionally found in infilled valleys such as Little Lake Valley.

farce
Guest
farce
5 years ago
Reply to  Michael R Ross

Yes there was exploratory drilling.They never found enough oil to bother. First rain of the year brings a different oil onto the road surface.Along with everything that’s been spilled there since last good rain. It’s very slick in spots and this could have been any of us in this terrible accident. My prayers are with the family.

Laurie
Guest
Laurie
5 years ago

I’m so sorry for your loss. RIP sweet girls 💕

No Chicken Little
Guest
No Chicken Little
5 years ago

It’s not demented commentary. Drive on the road 90% are on the phone or texting. So many others smoking weed! No Regard for their own safety or others. Payed with their life. Better theirs than mine or my family. Harsh but wont stop the millions that will do the same tomorrow.

read
Guest
5 years ago

You might not be a chicken little but you are heartless. What is the point of being harsh?

Condolences
Guest
Condolences
5 years ago

Super sad! This part of the road is notoriously slippery in any kind of rain or fog and can be tricky even in the middle of summer depending on traffic and conditions. The corner banks strangely and almost wants to pitch you into the southbound lane if you aren’t extra careful. Add the already weird road conditions to the first rain of the season and it’s just an awful, horrible, tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and everyone that is hurting right now. Rest In Peace girls.

Lori p
Guest
Lori p
5 years ago

This is just heart breaking my heart goes out to the familys i know the mother and the aunt of the 12 year old girl and my heart goes out to the mother expecally this makes her 2nd child that she has lost now 💔

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

I’m so sorry for the lives lost. And for the gentleman who got hit. It can’t be easy for him either. He was a victim as well.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

As are people who helped. That can be very traumatic even once. I don’t know how people like firefighters, police and parametics do it repeatedly.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

You are so right. So many innocent lives being affected by this. It’s so scary to see how fragile and precious life really is.

Tammi
Guest
Tammi
5 years ago

I am so sorry for the people who lost their lives. Sending prayers and positive thoughts and love to friends and family.

Ouch
Guest
Ouch
5 years ago

Im still currently struggling with how to help the depression my child has fallen into.
This was a huge blow to this community and to many of the youth especially