A darkened stretch of Highway 101 was shut down on the night of Monday, June 5, 2023, after a passenger van collided with a truck broken in the middle of the road.
The driver of the truck was standing nearby when the collision occurred which threw the disabled vehicle forward striking its driver and causing major injuries.
California Highway Patrol Office Jonathan Clevenger wrote in an email the collision occurred around 10:40 p.m. between Willits and Laytonville south of Highway 101’s intersection with Underpass Road.
A Chevrolet truck was traveling northbound when it became disabled in the #2 lane. The driver and passenger exited the vehicle and while standing nearby, a Ford Transit van traveling in the same lane crashed into the disabled truck. Officer Clevenger wrote, “The force of the impact moved the Chevy forward where it struck the person who was previously driving the Chevy.”
The collision caused the truck to overturn, majorly damaged the van, and covered Highway 101 with disabled vehicles and debris blocking all four lanes which required a temporary closure while crews cleaned up the scene.
The truck’s driver suffered major injuries while the van’s driver had minor injuries. Both were taken to a local hospital for care.
Officer Clevenger said, “This collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol -Garberville Area.” Call (707) 932-6100 to share any information about the collision.
UPDATE 1:51 p.m.: California Patrol Officer Jonathan Clevenger asked us to clarify that there are no outstanding subjects from the collision or criminal charges being sought. After our article went live his office received several calls from the public offering information about the vehicles involved that had no bearing or consequence on CHP’s internal investigation.
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