All four lanes of Highway 101 have been brought to a complete standstill between Laytonville and Willits, in the Longvale area of Mendocino County. A semi-truck with a box trailer overturned at approximately 9:15 a.m.
According to an official statement from the Caltrans District 1 Facebook page, ”
U.S. 101 is FULLY CLOSED in Mendocino County at the Route 162/Covelo Road junction (PM 59.8 ) due to an overturned vehicle. Currently, there is no estimated time of reopening. Please check https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or the QuickMap app for the latest road conditions.” The closest realistic detours available for the major north-south artery in California are 299 (though 36 is workable) from the north and Hwy 20 from the south.
The overturned semi, weighing approximately 80,000 pounds, is resting on its side, making it impossible to implement one-way controlled traffic, a common practice in managing incidents of this nature on highways. Efforts to manage the traffic flow around the incident have been hampered by the sheer size and position of the vehicle.
The driver of the semi-truck, thankfully, managed to exit the vehicle following the accident and has declined medical assistance, indicating no severe injuries. This is a fortunate outcome considering the potential for significant harm in such incidents.
According to a report on the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Traffic Incident Information Page, Caltrans is going to attempt to push the semi, according to a report on the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page.
UPDATE 9:52 a.m.: Caltrans has opened the southbound lanes and has set up one way traffic control.
I got video phootage of the accident happening I was first on scene
the truck was for sure going over 55 mph – I have NEVER seen the Highway Patrol stopping any speeding truck over 55 mph- even all the signs – 55 mph if you have more than 3 axles or you have a trailer – plenty of those signs!