The following is a press release issued by the California Highway Patrol Garberville Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On March 26, 2022, at approximately 0515 hours, David Patmore of Rio Dell, CA was driving a 2022 Peterbilt tractor, hauling two 28-foot trailers, northbound on US-101, south of Bell Springs Road. Inside the two 28-foot trailers were 475 pounds of Organic Peroxide, 578 pounds of Phosphorous Acid, 1056 pounds of Sodium Hydroxide, and other miscellaneous items. For reasons still under investigation, the semi-truck crossed over the east solid white edge line and traveled off the roadway. The semi-truck collided with an ascending dirt and grass covered embankment and then a storm drain. The semi-truck entered back onto US-101 where the tractor and trailers overturned onto their right side. The semi-truck began sliding on its right side in a northwesterly direction, until the cab of the Peterbilt collided with a tree along the west shoulder of US-101. The semi-truck came to a stop, blocking both lanes of US-101, facing in a westerly direction. Mr. Patmore did not sustain any injuries.
As a result of the crash, two 55-gallon drums of Sodium Hydroxide ruptured within the rear trailer and approximately two to three gallons spilled onto the roadway. Due to the large quantity of hazardous commodities within the second trailer, the unknown extent on the spill, and the semi-truck blocking both lanes, US-101 was shut down. US-101 remained closed for approximately 14 hours between Cummings Road and Woodruff Road in order to clean up the hazardous material and recover the overturned tractor and trailers.
This crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Cal Fire, Cal-Trans, Laytonville Fire, Ukiah Valley Fire, and Mendocino County Environmental Health responded and assisted at the scene.
CHP-288A-News-Release
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