As per scanner traffic and the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information, at approximately 3:13 p.m. two vehicles collided on State Route 20 just after Blue Lakes resulting in a fatality as well as injuries.
The collision reportedly involved a black Chevrolet Silverado and a black Acura sedan and both vehicles ended up disabled blocking both lanes.
The Caltrans Quickmap indicates that traffic, especially in the eastbound lane, is starting to back up.
UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: According to the CHP the road is now blocked in both directions with no estimated time of reopening.
UPDATE 3:57 p.m.: An air ambulance is being deployed to transport a patient from the collision to an area hospital.
UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: Traffic is being redirected to an alternative route via Scotts Valley Road but drivers be aware of extra traffic on that route.
UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: As per the California Highway Patrol, the roadway has been cleared and traffic is moving freely in both directions.
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 travel this route every day on delivery. That last turn out of Blue Lakes with the yellow signs/arrows is PAVED BADLY. The turn is sloped as all turns are, but it goes FLAT about 1/3rd the way through.
We noticed this right away after construction, thinking they may have done this to make it easier to pull off the shoulder, but it’s a very dangerous paving job. Because it is *not* gradual, at all, it goes from slope suddenly to flat.
I go slow, about 45 around that turn, even that slow, as soon as it switches from sloped to flat, it throws my van over towards the side of the road.
A few months ago, me and a semi were heading west back to Ukiah, dark and raining, a car came east, when it hit that flat spot…it was thrown over, the driver steered to gain control, but slammed head-on into the guard rail.
This is really dangerous…I’m afraid there will be many more accidents on that turn, specifically because of that flat spot.