As of 7:08 p.m. this evening, traffic on Highway 101 in Hopland is heavily impacted after two separate vehicle accidents left five to six vehicles damaged and one with minor injuries.
We spoke with Hopland Fire Chief Mitch Franklin at the scene who told us a total of six vehicles were involved this evening in the two incidents, one occurring on State Route 175 and the other on Highway 101 southbound.
The specific number six cited by Chief Franklin conflicts with reports via the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page and the police scanner which indicate five vehicles were involved.
The accident on State Route 175 occurred when a sedan collided with a railroad barrier leaving the vehicle disabled in the roadway.
Approximately 100 yards away in the southbound lane of Highway 101, four or five vehicles were involved in a collision including a semi-truck, a pickup truck, and 2-3 other vehicles. The collision on Highway 101 resulted in minor injuries.
Scanner traffic indicated a driving under the influence situation is being associated with one of the drivers.
The Caltrans Quickmap indicates traffic is heavily congested in the area as crews clean up the scene. If you are traveling north or south through Hopland, consider using Old River Road.
UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: Traffic is now flowing smoothly on both Highway 101 and State Route 175.
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.
I came upon the accident at the train tracks on hwy 175 & couldn’t see the highwsy patrolman at all because the lights from his car were so damn bright. Apparently he was telling me to turn around but he must be stupid because there is no way any normal human could see him with such bright light in their eyes. He acted angry at me so I told him “Sorry but your lights are so bright nobody can see what you are directing them to do.”
Are they just idiots? Blinding people doesn’t help keep anyone safe.
I agree
We have lots of dim lights in local law enforcement
Jangled Nerves
Driving down the road in my brand new SUV
Someone cuts me off this enrages me
Ram them from behind force them off the road
Then they hit a tree and their car explodes
As I drive away pretending nothing’s wrong
Suddenly I start to sing this silly road rage song
Oh jangled nerves jangled nerves breakdown on the way
Hysterical reactions to a stressful hectic day-a
Jangled nerves jangled nerves breakdown on the way
Hysterical reactions to a stressful hectic day
Dashing through a crowd in psychotic episode
Empty magazine stopping to reload
Cars with sirens scream gum balls flashing lights
Oh what fun it is to sing a postal song tonight
Oh jangled nerves jangled nerves breakdown on the way
Hysterical reactions to a stressful hectic day-a
Jangled nerves jangled nerves breakdown on the way
Hysterical reactions to a stressful hectic day
Everyday is Christmas when you have anger issues
Road rage does not carry the risk of gun violence but there is only one kind of dead