Wrong-way driver arrested for DUI after crash on US 101 near Atascadero

ATASCADERO, Calif. - One driver was arrested after causing a crash while driving the wrong way on the 101 freeway in the Atascadero area early Sunday morning.

California Highway Patrol reported that 36-year-old Monica Duggan was driving a Volkswagon northbound on the southbound side of the freeway around 1:38 a.m.

Duggan was reportedly driving about 65-70 miles per hour when she began approaching oncoming traffic south of State Route 41 in Atascadero.

CHP said driver Arnold Johnson was traveling south down the freeway in the same lane as Duggan at about 65 miles per hour. When Johnson saw Duggan's vehicle coming straight towards him in the wrong direction, he swerved to the right to avoid it.

Unfortunately, Johnson was unable to dodge Duggan's vehicle completely and the left front of Duggan's VW collided with the left front of Johnson's car.

CHP said Duggan's car then came to a stop in the first lane of the southbound freeway facing southwest while Johnson's car stopped in the second lane and partially on the right shoulder of the freeway facing southeast.

CHP reported that Duggan sustained minor injuries involving a bloody nose. Johnson and his passenger reportedly did not sustain any injuries. All three parties were transported to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, however, for treatment and precautionary reasons.

CHP officers arrested Duggan under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

CHP is still investigating the crash. They said the occupants of both vehicles were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.