[Update Reopened] Hwy 101 Shutdown in Both Directions After Fiery Head-on Crash North of Rio Dell
Fiery crash north of Rio Dell. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]
About 10:45 p.m., a Toyota pickup headed northbound in the southbound lane by Metropolitan Road north of Rio Dell struck a sedan possibly head on, according to a first responder at the scene speaking over the scanner.
Video by Lauren Johnson
Both vehicles caught fire. Eventually, an officer on the scene called for a coroner for two confirmed fatalities.
![Fiery crash north of Rio Dell. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/421166645_1038020230638344_2827477186765577754_n.jpg)
[Photo by Lauren Johnson]
She believes the vehicle was a dark colored Toyota Tundra going about 55 or 60 mph as it passed her going the wrong way. It was “perfectly in one lane,” she told us. She says she flashed her lights at the driver. And then she called 911 to report the incident.
Johnson, who does freelance photography for us, reached Rio Dell and learned of the crash from friends. She turned around and headed north in time to take the photos included here.
![Fiery crash north of Rio Dell. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/419746113_902028128287880_5402292733693383210_n.jpg)
[Photo by Lauren Johnson]
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 11:33 p.m.: More photos from Lauren Johnson.
![Fiery crash north of Rio Dell. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/unnamed-30.jpg)
![Aftermath of Fiery crash north of Rio Dell. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/unnamed-31.jpg)
![Aftermath of Fiery crash north of Rio Dell. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/unnamed-32.jpg)
Update 12:03 a.m.: 101 remains shut down north of Rio Dell to Hwy 36 in both directions. The most likely work around appears to be: from the north, go to Fernbridge, take State Route 211 to Ferndale and then take Grizzly Bluff Road which turns into Blue Slide to Rio Dell which is south of the crash. From the south, do the opposite.
Dark blue line shows workaround. There are some shorter routes but we recommend only locals who are confident of where they are attempt those.
Keep updated on the latest on whether Hwy 101 has reopened by checking Caltrans QuickMap.
UPDATE: Hwy 101 has reopened.
UPDATE: CHP Releases Information on Fiery Crash That Claimed Lives of Three
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Heartbreaking!
It wasn’t open south bound as on 12:56am- cones across the highway routed to 36 and 36 southbound was blocked off. Had to go blue slide
I suspect that the Tundra driver was DUI, with oncoming drivers flashing their head lights, along with the red Botts Dots would have given an alert driver a clue in that something was amiss.
Please don’t assume it was a drunk driver. Sometimes people get confused driving at night and if they’re not from this area, they might not of realized they got on the freeway going in the wrong direction. More will be revealed from this accident and we will find out if it was indeed, alcohol related. Have some respect for the families that lost loved ones do not assume drugs and alcohol were involved
We’ll see if there is a tox report or if the incident is allowed to drop off the headlines. Did anyone check for a hand device or pings off the tower? We need the truth on these incidents or they never stop happening or at least diminish in frequency. What is it now, about one a week?
uh. y e ah there was alcohol involved. the dude left the bar hammered! piece of shit, and where were the cops then? its normally lockdown after 10 pm in that town… someones going to pay for this…. someone should have quit serving that guy booze.
Well if you saw him hammered what the hell were you doing letting him leave? You should have called the cops!
Is that why the were doing donuts in front of the bar in Rio Dell prior to getting on the freeway the wrong way? They were from out of town? And yes, I do know that. Not from out of town, simply drunk and stupid. The individual passed two points where there were passthroughs where they could have realized they were on the wrong side if they were simply “not from here” they also passed two points where there were 10 foot arrows pointing at them as they drove the wrong way. The police were already looking for the vehicle because it was called in for the donut incident. This was not some hapless driver. The person who had to swerve out of the path of the wrong-way driver an instant before the crash noted he didn’t even brake. Out of towner??? I think not. Now a single mother and her 9 year old daughter have lost their chance at a future. I guess the only saving grace was it was so quick, they likely didn’t even have time for fear.
Why did they shut down north bound lane? Everything was contained in the south bound lane. Power trip?
Were you there? Were there emergency vehicles in the NB Lane? Most likely since the closest fire trucks were from Rio Dell which is south of the crash site.
Northbound they could have blocked off one lane.
Yup. Power trip.
power trip? they were trying to save lives. what if that was you, your concern would be for the flow of traffic while you were in a head on collision. I highly doubt it, I bet good money you would want emergency services there ASAP, and block whatever lanes to rescue you from a fiery death. your comment shows your character bozo.
Your empathy is overwhelming….
No, it was a fatality. Because of that they have to close both north and southbound lanes. Power trip has nothing to do with it.
Multiple people just lost their lives and your worried about the freeway being partially opened? Sad. An accident like this there is debris in a wide radius. There has to be an investigation of the incident. Also people don’t need to be driving by and see bodies in burned vehicles.
Maybe because the heat of the fire?? Maybe because people don’t know how to mind their own business while driving past an accident??? So why not shut it down so they can get the fire controlled and clean up done. It saves time and saves from another accident.
Mr. Clark, Bozo, just what were you doing last night between 10:30 and midnight? Were you even inconvenienced by this at all? Leaving your family, and cozy home, Operating specialized equipment at night, in a storm? Dealing with dead burnt people? Clearing the freeway for the next one? Most of those firefighters there are volunteers. You think the world goes round just for your convenience?
some people are just heartless jackasses! I think they are just trying to get a reaction out of people, either that or they are 15.
The photographer told me that the emergency vehicles were in the northbound lanes. I wasn’t there but likely, if the northbound lanes were open, it would mean that emergency personnel would have to tread their way through traffic to deal with the incident–which would risk another accident.
You just one of two things: a most basic troll with little imagination or cleverness, or just a plain jerk
I vote for both
It’s a two-fer. Never put limits on the human potential. It’s ‘Merica, man!
What’s wrong with you?
Take an IQ test and a nap.
Stupidest and most callous comment on this blog ever.
And that’s really saying something….
Your nasty comment, as usual, is completely out-of-place. Show some respect for the three people that perished in that accident.
Anytime that there is a fatality they have to completely close the roads in bulk directions.
It is very sad you are more concerned about the freeway being shut down. When I lived in SanJose I heard this huge crash as did my neighbors. We ran down the street. It was a camero engulfed in flames with two boys inside. Two brothers we learned later. They burned to where you could not recognize them. It still haunts me to this day because none of us could do anything. You are horrible worrying about the road being closed.[edit]People died here. Possibly burned to death while alive. Shame on your callousness.
Remember people died.
This accident reminds me of Roger Rodoni. See
Humboldt County Supervisor Roger Rodoni killed in crash – Times-Standard
That looks like a second gen(2005-2015) Tacoma. What a terrible accident.
A very sad and tragic sight. My condolences to the families and friends’ whose loved ones perished in the accident. A sight that no one wants to ever see. I pray that those lost will rest in the arms of Jesus forever. A heart felt thank you to all the first responders that worked that scene.
Was the wrong way driver killed or did they kill the people in the other car?
Both drivers passed none survived
We’ve had two similar fatal accidents on the Safety Corridor in the last twenty years. Getting an accident report from CHP is next to impossible unless you have special credentials. Without knowing much except what I read in the media outlets, it seemed the accidents were intentional.
What color was the Mercedes? ?
At this time, we do not that information.
I heard it was a white Mercedes.
The Mercedes paint color might be impossible to perceive due to the high heat of the fire.
Hella sad rest in peace my dear friend Christina and her 8-year-old daughter that dumbass was driving with no lights on straight at her she didn’t know what hit her
Christina was my good friend I wish I knew her last name
freitas…. good friend?
That’s horrendous! For their sake one can only hope they were killed instantly and didn’t burn alive… God be with them!
That was my mom’s best friend and her 9 year old daughter who was like a sister to me since she was 1. They were just trying to go home and see grandma. I’ll miss them forever.
I don’t know you, but my whole heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for your loss and your grief.
I am so very sorry to you and all who loved your friend and her daughter. There are no words that I or anyone else could say to undo this tragedy or bring peace to your hearts, but my thoughts are with you all.
that was really sweet of you…. thanks babe
This is not the first time this exact thing happened in that location 2003 my sister died in a head on by some kid playing chicken..He only got 2-3 yrs
You’re right, fatalities are relatively common there. Supervisor Rodoni died along that stretch of road. That was about 5 years after your sister’s accident. That was a pure accident, though. No one crashed into Rodoni on purpose. He wasn’t wearing his seat belt at the time. I am sorry for your loss. That is an awful thing to have happen.
No update as to the identity of the wrong way driver, investigation, cause??