[UPDATE 9:04 p.m.: Video of the Major Injury Accident Scene] Major Vehicle Damage in Two-Vehicle Collision Near Sunset Avenue
The CHP Incident Page is reporting a two-vehicle collision in Arcata along Highway 101 near the Sunset Avenue offramp. The accident was reported just before 5:30 p.m. on July 26th.
Occupants from both vehicles are outside of the vehicles, one reportedly with blood on their person. An ambulance has been requested along with a tow truck.
[All photos by Lisa Connell]
A Redheaded Blackbelt reader said that traffic is moving slowly through the area while the CHP Traffic Incident Page stated that traffic was backed up to Highway 299. The #2 lane was reported to be blocked by fire personnel at 5:42 p.m.
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: The CHP is now listing this as a major injury accident with two subjects being taken to a local area hospital.
UPDATE 9:04 p.m.: Video of the accident scene was provided by a reader.
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Big Shout out and Big Respect to all of the First Responders, EMS, Fire Departments, CHP, HCSO, and Hospital Staff that step up when bad shit like this happens…
Please know that you are greatly appreciated.
That goes for the Good Samaritans as well…
Thank you all very much!
A great comment Guest and I will second it!!!
This is one of those sections of exits I always dread. So many people doing stupid stuff. People 20-30mph below the speed limit. people weaving through traffic or just merging and jumping two lanes over immediately at too slow of a speed. Its been this way for decades and very rarely see enforcement.
This portion of 101 is clear, semi-straight and easy to maneuver. Traffic headed south is like the Indy 500 as well as traffic headed to McKinleyville..It’s race track..why, I don’t know. If you keep your hands on the wheel and pay even minor attention to what’s going on it’s a breeze. If you are stoned, drunk or are searching your iPhone for the best lattes in Arcata, you might get into trouble.
It’s not the road..it’s the distracted drivers. So many fun things to play with and watch in your new ‘woke’ Tesla or Kia, or whatever!
I was horrified to see car manufacturers install a computer screen, in the middle of the dash board, to completely distract drivers. Folks using them while driving always have an “Oh Shit” moment, while driving distracted.
so you don’t have safety features like collision avoidance ?
I don’t beliieve any collison avoidance saftery feature would require the operator to take his hands off the wheel or look down at a display of some sort…that would be counterproductive to avoiding any collision.
The best saftey feature in a car is a clean and sober driver with total awareness of where he is at that second, and in total control of his car…no help needed from Tesla, Kia, Honda or Ford…just common sense…a rare commodity these days.
i’m not even as worried about the possibly inebriated drivers right there, it’s the folks who haven’t been driving here long, are visiting/passing through, and drive like it’s the city and are on their phones and gps device. no bueno from the north bank road exit on N to Sunnybrae exit on S.
Not quite the Indy 500 lol
Maybe the IMSA Grand Prix at Laguna Seca Raceway lol
That turn has a slight jounce in the fast lane, and can catch a driver with a high centered vehicle off guard when traveling at the speed limit. I aways prepare for it when in the fast lane.
Yep taking that turn at 70 is not easy. You try to keep speed coming up that hill and dealing with traffic merging from 299. You get to the top of that hill and oops youre doing 70+ mph. And then the exit for Sunset comes up quick and you’re in the wrong lane!
You nailed it. The off ramp for HWY 299 is curved fairly tight and many vehicles then struggle to get up to speed on the little hill right after they merge onto the 101. Creates a real jam and previous comment regarding mirror/blind spot going around curve closer to Sunset makes sense. This is one of the inherently dangerous sections of 101 up in north county.
I totally agree it’s a very bad on ramp Also trying to merge with traffic you cannot see if there’s traffic coming down to go into the freeway
I want the safety corridor extended from Mad River bridge to Eureka. The many on/off ramps in this stretch make 70-80mph too hazardous and create frustrated, angry drivers.
The red SUV was on the shoulder cause it ran out of gas an I believe the owner left walking to get gas leaving a friend behind in the SUV, when the maroon van hit it from behind!!! The person driving the van had to been going extremely fast for when the tire came off it gouged the pavement the battery was ripped out of the van an busted with stuff coming out of it. An I will stop there cause couldn’t believe how badly tore up the van was to where It makes me sad we humans aren’t thinking very well. Yes it’s good to recycle but there needs to be a fine line.. Thank Goodness no body was killed an no children involved…