Scanner traffic and the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information page indicate at approximately 2:14 p.m. a travel trailer along with two other vehicles wrecked on Highway 20 between Fort Bragg and Willits. The travel trailer ended up on its side blocking the westbound lane slowing traffic in the area.
The CHP Incident Information page characterized the incident as a “non-injury” accident.
The CalTrans Quickmap shows Highway 20 as slowed in the immediate area of the incident.
Fort Bragg Tow is en route to the scene requiring a flatbed trailer to extricate the large vehicle in the roadway.
Images of the scene sent to us by a reader show a considerable amount of rain on the roadway reminding Mendocino County residents of the dangers inherent in our rural roads when the rain falls.
The California Driver’s Handbook provides a proven set of strategies to maximize safety when driving rain-soaked roadways:
Many road pavements are the most slippery when it first starts to rain or snow because oil and dust have not yet washed away. Slow down at the first sign of rain, drizzle, or snow on the road. Turn on your windshield wipers, low-beam headlights, and defroster. In a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm, you may not be able to see more than 100 feet ahead of your vehicle. When you cannot see any farther than 100 feet, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph. You may have to stop from time to time to wipe mud or snow off your windshield, headlights, and taillights.
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.
