[UPDATE 9 p.m.] Hwy 101 Closed After Crash North of Willits So Helicopters Can Land and Transport Out Seriously Injured Patients
Photo by Dottie Simmons.
The California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information page and scanner traffic indicate first responder have been dispatched to a head-on traffic collision approximately six miles north of Willits regarding reports of an injured female and child requiring extraction from an involved vehicle.
Three ambulances total are responding to the incident and the incident commander is clearing a portion of the roadway near the intersection of Highway 101 and Reynolds Highway for a medical helicopter to land.
The head-on collision occurred at 7:05 p.m. and an original reporting party indicated that “someone is trapped in the vehicle” which is emitting white smoke.
UPDATE 7:29 p.m.As of 7:29 p.m., the California Highway Traffic Incident Information page indicates first responders have closed Highway 101 to facilitate the landing of the medical helicopter.
The scanner has indicated that not one, but two air ambulances are responding to the scene.
UPDATE 7:38 p.m.
The incident commander is moving one of the patients, who he characterized as “critical”, to the landing zone and has requested a third ambulance remain headed to the scene regarding a “moderately injured patient.”
UPDATE 7:48 p.m.
Both patients have been extricated for the vehicle and Reach helicopter will be landing shortly.
UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: Scanner traffic indicates both medical helicopters have transported the patients away from the scene. The CHP Traffic Incident Information page says the Department of Transportation has been dispatched to the scene of the accident to clean up oil spilled in the roadway.
UPDATE 9 p.m.: These pictures were sent to use via social media and depict the scene after the crash had occurred and first responders were tending to the patients. 
One lane of traffic is open.
UPDATE Wednesday: The road is clear. Below are photos sent by a reader of the crash.
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Kym, one helicopter departed with patient, second one got waved off landing. Allyson has some great video but signal too weak to send from here.
Steve, Thank you. It will probably be tomorrow before we can get official reports and so reports from you guys really help.
That gray car flew by me in town around 6:50 pm in between Burger King and Safeway they were swerving erratically then passed a car right in front of willits High school. I turned up Sherwood road heading home and had a really bad feeling something was going to happen. My girlfriend just showed me this accident and I am 99 percent sure that’s the same car . If it is that grey car is 100% at fault
Kym,
Should say 7:05 PM?
Thank you. Fixed.
Oil Well Hill once named for an Oil Claim at the base of the hill should be renamed “Oil Spill Hill” as a cautionary tale to motorists to use extreme caution on this dangerous stretch that has claimed so many lives. Hope everybody is ok and heals up. Best of Wishes. Stay Safe out there Weather is warming up people are getting excited.
God bless the people that run to a head on I am so blessed to have never came upon a bad accident because I’m a wussy but I’ve always had extra special respect for our first responders that can and do
My apologies, looking back, I didn’t mean to be so insensitive. We said many prayers for all involved and our hearts go out to them and their family and friends. First responders were amazing!
The folks that volunteer their time and sometimes risk their lives to protect the rest of us are true heros. They spend their own time and money to be prepared when they are called upon to help others.
Stay well Steve and Allyson.
That was a brutal accident. I just pray that the critical patients will survive. My prayers go out to the families and friends of those involved. A big thank you to all of the first responders working at that sight. Thank God for Life Flight, they are a true blessing in cases like this.
Once more:
Get helicopter ambo insurance for yourself and your family! It’s a great buy and it may well save your life!
OH, and, I drove down to SF yesterday over the GG bridge, then went to Oakland, and then over to Vacaville (shopping trip) and back up on 505 and 20 back to base-camp.
Just so you know, the entire mobile force of the CHP was out, everywhere, and dozens of cars were pulled over practically everywhere I went!
Be advised, slow down, drive nice, and be safe!
COVID is ending… Please, drive politely. Thanks!
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That’s a terrible crash ! They are lucky to have survived .. even for those without medical training remember you can always stop and be there for support until medical personnel arrive.. I can’t understand all those who choose just to drive by.. but thank you to everyone who stopped to help! It’s always a good idea to learn basic first aid and cpr just in case you come across something like This, so you feel more Confident to help out. Never remove someone from a vehicle unless there unresponsive or there is that Immediate danger. Fire ECT they should be removed by professionals incase of spinal injuries. But you can always help in some way as long as your safe to do so.
Not everyone should stop. If you are first on scene, call 9-1-1. Be prepared to give the dispatcher the exact location including County and mile post marker number, gps coordinates or crossroads, etc. BE SAFE while rendering aid if you are able. If you have equipment and ability to assist in traffic control, do so. If you have safety equipment, flares, vest, flags or other attention-getting devices, by all means employ and deploy them. Slowing and diverting traffic before the accident scene is very important, but it’s foolhardy to just stand in the road and wave your arms without deploying flares, triangles, or other attention-getting devices. If you don’t have any idea what the hell you are doing, drive safely by and continue your journey, calling 9-1-1 to be certain the situation has been reported and professional help is on the way.
I mostly agree. But standing out of the road in a spot visible to oncoming cars and pushing your hands down to signal “slow down” can help. Until the first car stops and puts on hazard signals in an easily seen spot there is the danger of another vehicle driving into the accident at 65 mph! I’ve been the first onto an accident scene on a blind curve like this one- I was so happy that the next car stopped and we were able to position our cars to alert oncoming drivers in both directions. Of course flares are better but anything to slow/ stop the initial flow of traffic is important.
Well worth reading the above posts, thank you. I drive the 101 & say, “There but for you go I.” It can happen to anyone & in the case of a head on, no escape. I hope all will be ok. It’s no Sunday drive, even on a Sunday!
I should have added more to my comment. I agree with joy. Please don’t stop if you have no clue what to do.. and always call 911 right away! No one should stop just to take pictures and get in the way or just to observe the accident for no reason. But I would assume the majority of people can Safely slow down cars and basic assistance for the patients. Most people know not to pull anyone from a car unless they are in more danger if they are kept in the vehicle. If a car is smoking and on fire get them out! if you can safely do so.. i know of plenty of situations like this where it’s been the passerby’s who save people.. you can’t always wait for fire and rescue to get on scene.
Came up on this horrific accident last night and were held back waiting for it to be cleared for about an hour. It gave me a lot of time to worry and pray. I can’t believe how often first responders in that area have to deal with this level of traumatic scene. It makes my stomach hurt.
I pray for all involved. Lives were definitely changed yesterday. Slow down sometimes slow way down… is all I can say.