Crash on 101 North of Eureka Blocks Lane During Morning Commute

A two-vehicle collision early this morning slowed traffic on northbound Highway 101 near the Bayside Cutoff between Eureka and Arcata about 6:32 a.m.

“A car was off in the ditch and one on its side on 101,” one passerby told us. “The police were there and looked like someone was still inside of the vehicle that was on its side.”

According to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page, callers said they saw a red sedan and a gray sedan involved in a collision in the No. 1 lane. Early reports indicated one vehicle had gone off the roadway into a ditch.

Shortly after the initial call, responders reported that one person was having difficulty breathing, and emergency services were requested. Cal Fire was notified and responded to the scene.

Officers closed the No. 1 northbound lane while emergency crews worked the scene. A traffic break was started near Harper’s Motors to slow approaching vehicles.

CHP logs later indicated that the crash involved a Toyota Tacoma and a white Nissan Altima.

Tow trucks were requested to remove the damaged vehicles. By about 7:28 a.m., officers reported the No. 1 lane had reopened, and by 7:32 a.m. traffic was allowed to access the Bayside Cutoff again.

The extent of injuries has not been confirmed but an ambulance was requested.

Information in this report is based on early CHP logs and may change as additional details become available.

UPDATE 8:29 a.m.: The CHP page reports that there are only minor injuries.