Thursday, December 5, 2024

Hazmat team deployed after big rig crash in Willits

The big rig is upright but inoperable along Willits’s South Mainstreet [Photo from Tom Waters]

A hazmat team has been requested following a big rig crash early Tuesday morning on northbound South Main Street in Willits near the intersection with Muir Mill Road according to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page.

The collision occurred around 3:20 a.m., leaving the vehicle upright and the driver outside the rig with no visible injuries. Initial reports indicated that less than one gallon of material had spilled, with minimal contamination of waterways.

Emergency responders, including Cal Fire and Caltrans, are on the scene, while a hazmat team has been called in to address the spill. The fire chief is coordinating efforts to ensure proper containment, though the spill reportedly poses minimal risk.

Vehicles are reported on both sides of the road at the scene. The Caltrans Quickmap indicates traffic is backed up in the area of the crash. Drivers leaving Willits from are advised to use the bypass to avoid the area.


UPDATE 7:55 a.m.: Road crews are still on scene working to address any hazardous material that resulted from the crash and eventually extricate the big rig.

[Photo provided by Walter Kolon]
[Photo provided by Walter Kolon]

UPDATE 8:49 p.m.: A tow truck is on-site, working to remove the big rig. Traffic is being managed in the area during the operation.

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[Photo provided by Eric Lee Burch]

[Photo from Eric Lee Burch]

UPDATE 9:17 p.m.: Route 20/South Main Street is fully closed in Willits (Postmile 34.22 to 34.35) as crews work to recover a vehicle, according to Caltrans District 1.

The closure began early Wednesday morning, and the estimated time for reopening is 9:45 a.m. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and check Caltrans’ QuickMap or the QuickMap app for real-time updates on road conditions.


UPDATE – 10:05 A.M.: Route 20/South Main Street in Willits, Mendocino County, has reopened to one-way controlled traffic near Manor Way (PM 34.22 to 34.35). Caltrans estimates the roadway will fully reopen by noon. Travelers are advised to proceed with caution while passing through the area.


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.


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12 COMMENTS

      • Fatigue driving kills. In this case, thank God the driver and others were not hurt. This does not make the driver bad. Fatigue isn’t something you plan or do on purpose, but you should definitely check yourself before getting behind the wheel. Am I alert, have I been drinking/drugging, did I get enough sleep, can I safely drive, am I ok to drive in the dark, rain, etc. And be totally honest to yourself. If no to any of these topics then do not drive. It can kill you but even worse is that you could hurt or kill someone else. Could you live with that guilt? It just is not worth it. Inconvenient to say no, of course, but it is an important question to ask yourself, not doing so could be deadly.

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Matt LaFever
Matt LaFeverhttps://mendofever.com/
For the past seven years, Matt LaFever has covered the North Coast of California in both print and radio news. A Humboldt State graduate, he has lived in the Emerald Triangle for nearly 20 years. His reporting spans local issues like crime and wildfires. When not writing, Matt is an avid outdoorsman, exploring Northern California’s rugged landscapes. Reach out to him at matthewplafever@gmail.com.

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