[Update 9:30.: Reopened] 101 Closed at the Willits Bypass After Fatal Head On Collision
Just before 3 a.m., there was a two vehicle head on collision in the south lanes of the north end of the Willits Bypass. According to first reports to the California Highway Patrol, both vehicles caught fire and a motorcyclist was ejected over the bridge and died.
Another person was critically injured and an air medivac was called to assist.
Hwy 101 was closed and traffic was diverted through Willits. As of 6:37 a.m., traffic is still being diverted through town.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
Update 7:14 a.m.: The Willits Bypass has reopened.
Update 9:30 a.m.: CHP Releases Details on This Morning’s Fatal Crash on the Willits Bypass; DUI Suspected
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Remember when “head-on” collisions were rare. I do.
I remember when people used to DRIVE, not text and watch facebook videos behind the wheel. Its surreal how dim and addicted to their little ‘lifeline’ people have become, to the point where you see ‘adults’ texting at 75 mph with their (loved?) ones in the car!
Could have sworn we even passed laws making texting and driving illegal?
I know Charles, but we both know how important it is for them to share their petty drama.
Look back on my comments, this might have been predictable. The north end of the bypass southbound can be very misleading, As I’ve mentioned before. Especially your first time through it.
A transition area at the approach or a little before or thereafter around the final onramp, creates the optical Illusion that there are two southbound lanes instead of only one, or maybe it is that at the final onramp, there, it appears to be an opportunity to pass, it appears to become two lanes, like it is going to stay that way on the bridge, when it really isn’t, then it quickly closes out forcing you into oncoming or adjacent traffic.
Again, especially your first time through. I am aware it is tricky and dangerous, so I am cautious southbound.
Nothing you can do if you’re northbound there, you are at the mercy of the illusion’s effect on other drivers possiblity entering your lane head-on.
It’s difficult to put my finger on just exactly where, when, and how the illusion of an available passing lane occurs, but trust me, it happens. It just happened again. I try to warn the readers, of this situation, but also mostly in the hope that someone influential with CalTrans engineering is listening and hopefully doesn’t think I am just some kind of quack, blockhead, charlatan, wannabe engineer. Lives are at stake. I’m sure someone will be quick to point out someone must have been drinking, it was at 3:00 AM. Yes, it’s possible.
It’s also possible that there were one or more innocent victims. I doubt all the wrecks there involved alcohol.
This is of equal concern northbound in that area, as affected southbound traffic could enter your lane.
The design needs to be reconsidered, and reconfigured, or more lives will be lost there. Maybe many more. You can bet on it. It’s no coincidence, it is a recurring problem.
It’s difficult to describe here but the first time I went through it it almost caught me. It has to do with visibility, too, when fog obscures the double yellow. Also, darkness , impairment, fatigue and/or maybe a vehicle in front of you that you wish to pass. There have been many accidents there, I believe my comments were after a cement truck accident that occurred around 5:00AM.
Anybody know a CalTrans Engineer that could be consulted about this??, ?.
Lives could be saved.
Like that unfortunate motorcyclist’s.
Maybe I should have raised my voice louder the last time, maybe I should be raising it a lot louder this time?
I don’t think whispering it is going to do any good.
Maybe that final soutbound onramp should be eliminated, the traffic from it appears suddenly, and there isn’t sufficient room to merge.
Even somewhat considerably north of the bridge itself, that area is misleading, as well.
Maybe it’s time to rethink that area,
it’s way, way, more dangerous that Richardsons Grove, but is being given way, way, less consideration.
Should I go back and add numerous exclamation points? I hope not.
I hope someone is listening.
I agree with you. Yes,let’s hope Caltrans is listening..
Two undivided lanes of opposing traffic at freeway speeds on a road up in the air was never a real good idea.
Agreed
Your right i drove in that lane on accedent it does have a optical illusion there on the south side comeing on to it
That head on crash sounds like it was nasty. I am very sorry that the motorcycle rider was ejected over the bridge and died. My the rider RIP. Condolences to the riders family and friends. I hope the other person involved in the accident will will be fine, but having to go by medivac it can go one way or the other. Thank you to the California Highway Patrol and the medivac crew for their dedicated work at the scene.
That stretch needs a steel or concrete divider. To not include one in the design is almost criminal neglect. 65 mph with only 2 lines of paint to separate the lanes? That is STUPID!
A barrier would be a relatively small expense and its absence just cost someone their life.
Finish the damned bypass Caltrans, put up a divider!
Best comment award. Thank you!
Dividers saves lives.
Going south where the bridge(not overpass) starts, starting falling apart with the first rain, and is sinking. There was even a warning sign there for a bit.
Found my previous comment,
It was from June 2, 2020, at 11;11 PM, less than a year ago, under a previous handle…
Unfortunately it is not that well written. I will attempt to edit it a little
“X661”
“The southbound approach of the Willits Bypass is very confusing.
The Lane configuration/ design needs to be rethought in that area.
Southbound traffic seems to go from one lane into two southbound, or two into two, since there is a number two exit lane immediately before the bypass and the bypass could be mistaken for two lanes southbound.
It’s an optical illusion.
Bet it was the responsible party’s first time through.
Now I know to use extra caution in that area.
Northbound as well, as the [cement]
mixer found out, is in the danger area, as well.
The bypass and southbound approach should have a divider of some kind or at least the type of removable delineators
used on the Golden Gate Bridge to prevent this from periodically reoccurring. That would allow travel in either direction in either direction with simple adjustments for accommodating lane blockages or when [ever] necessary. I seem to remember another bad accident there when it first opened.
Anybody know any CalTrans Engineers?”
Researching that, I found these under Willits Bypass-North end, on LoCo and RHBB….
Bypass opens Nov. 3, 2016….
May 27, 2020, 1:22 AM, 2 vehs., no inj.
June 2, 2020, 3:00 AM, 3 vehs., 1 mjr inj., 1 mdr.
June 20,2020, 5:54 PM, 2 mc, no inj.
Oct. 14, 2020,5:45 PM, 3 vehs. unk. inj.
Dec. 18, 2020, 4:13 PM, 1 veh, no inj.
Feb. 10, 2021, 2:18 PM,Hit&Run no inj.
Mar. 9, 2021, 1:53 AM, 1 veh, no inj.
May 13, 2021, 2:55 AM, 1 mc, I veh. 1 fatal, 1 critical.
There must have been many more between the opening and May 27, 2020…….
I just couldn’t find the reports….
Put a effing divider in. The bypass is not wide enough to support a flat tire, breakdown, Cant avoid a head on. Not the first, wont be the last crash. RIP Caltrans piss poor design strikes again.
So tragic. Does anyone know why there’s a posted 65mph speed limit sign going southbound on the bypass just before it becomes a two-way traffic road (55mph speed limit by law)? This has always puzzled me.
There is an accident there, on average over the last year, every 46 days.
That means there will most likely be another accident there before the end of June.
If it doesn’t happen by the end of June,
I’d bet money on July.
It’s likely someone else will be killed there before Thanksgiving.
Same with a victim needing medivac.
CalTrans needs to reconfigure it somehow to make it safer, or they need to build a medivac L.Z. close by.
Most of the commentary I’ve seen on this has involved poor CalTrans designs and highway dividers. While this might be true, there’s much more personal responsibility at play. There usually is with these types of “accidents” in a region so full of deadbeats. Maybe the road does need to be redone, but what about not getting behind the wheel at 3AM intoxicated and plowing through a motorcycle going the wrong direction? The perp is a colossal POS who killed a good man and a pillar of the community. And I find it hard to believe as a Crescent City criminal, the driver was not familiar with the Willits bridge area. More likely that he’s driven this many times both intoxicated and not. Blaming the slaughter on mere unfamiliarity with the road was one of the dumber suggestions in the above postings. RIP friend.
What part of 8 accidents in less than one year don’t you understand?
It’s the kind of thing that a good lawyer will use, not only to get people like the unfortunate motorcyclist, and every other victim ever hurt there, a large settlement, it might also be used to exonerate the drunk driver.
He may not have crashed, had it not been for the hazardous road condition, it may be finally determined.
Having no way to stop a drunk driver from drinking, the only hope is to design a road that helps to ensure all party’s get home without causing unnecessary loss of life, rather than a design that assures it.
Fixing that section of road could save life and limb.
Blaming a drunk driver won’t.
That’s water under the bridge.
Fix the bridge.
At least the approach if that’s the real problem.