CHP Releases Info on Yesterday’s Fatal Crash That Closed Hwy 101

Flames rise from the front of a pickup after a collision with a semi yesterday. [Crop of a photo provided by Jay Biancalana]

On 04/11/2022, at approximately 1435 hours, a brown Nissan pickup truck with one occupant was traveling northbound on US-101 south of Spy Rock Road. A white Peterbilt truck tractor with a flatbed trailer hauling pallets of soil with a solo occupant was traveling southbound on US-101 south of Spy Rock Road just north of the Nissan. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan crossed from the northbound lane over the solid double yellow lines into the southbound lane into the direct path of the Peterbilt. The Nissan struck the Peterbilt head on and both vehicles and the Peterbilts load came to rest blocking the entire portion of US-101. As a result of the crash the Nissan became fully

engulfed in flames and the driver died at the scene. The driver of the Peterbilt sustained major injuries and was transported to Howard Memorial Hospital from the scene for medical care. US-101 was closed in both directions for approximately six hours for the investigation, clean-up and vehicle recovery. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this crash.

There were two dogs in the Nissan at the time of the crash. One of the dogs died as a result of the crash and the other was taken to the Mendocino County Animal Control Shelter.

The California Highway Patrol, Cal-Trans , Laytonville Fire Department, Cal Fire , Mendocino County Sheriffs Department, and Mendocino County Animal Control all responded to the scene. This collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol – Garberville Area

Earlier: Hwy 101 Closed, One Dead After Big Rig and Pickup Collide North of Laytonville