At 2:51 p.m. two vehicles collided head on while traveling Highway 20 just across the Mendocino County line near Blue Lakes.
Scanner traffic and the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information page indicates two parties have experienced major injuries, one minor injuries, and extrication is required. The westbound lane of Highway 20 is blocked as a result of the collision.
The CalTrans Quickmap shows a Highway 20 with traffic snarled around the collision.
The CHP Incident Information page indicates that a white car and and a blue car are involved in the collision.
UPDATE 3:29 p.m.: The Incident Commander has reported that SR 20 has been shut down as a result of the accident.
The following statement was issued by the California Highway Patrol:
CHP WORKING A MAJOR INJURY ACCIDENT ON SR20 JUST WEST OF BLUE LAKES ROAD
*** BOTH LANES OF SR20 ARE CLOSED AT THIS TIME ***
PLEASE USE ALTERNATE ROUTES OF TRAVEL – UNKNOWN ESTIMATED TIME OF CLOSURE
UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: The CHP Traffic Incident Information page indicates the at least one party passed away from the injuries sustained from the collision. The CalTrans Quickmap still shows a Highway 20 stalled in both directions.
UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: As per a press release from the California Highway Patrol office in Ukiah, Highway 20 has reopened:
*** BOTH LANES NOW OPEN ***
PLEASE CONTINUE TO USE CAUTION IF TRAVELLING THROUGH THE AREA
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.
