CHP Releases Names of Drivers Involved in Highway 1 Big Rig Crash
LATEST UPDATE
Caltrans reports that Highway 1 between U.S. Highway 101 and Highway 246 is expected to reopen by 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The California Highway Patrol has identified the parties involved as 56-year-old Juan M. Rivera of Lancaster, Santa Maria resident Fred L. Williams, 61, and 33-year-old Anthony L. Williams also of Santa Maria.
A CHP incident report says the driver of a white box truck, later identified as Rivera, was traveling northbound on Highway 1 when for unknown reasons he allowed the truck to cross the solid double yellow lines. He drove into the southbound lanes and directly into the path of two semitrailers pulling dump trailers being driven by the two Williams’.
The report says, “The box truck side swiped the first semi on the left side then continued in the SB lane, directly into the path of the second semi. The driver of the box truck then collided head on with the second semi and both vehicles came to rest on the SB dirt shoulder of [state Route] 1.”
The extent of the driver’s injuries are not known at this time, but investigators don’t believe alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash. The occupants of all vehicles involved have not been identified.
CHP continues to investigate the crash, and now says that Highway 1 will not be closed down on Thursday for cleanup. Cleanup will be done at a later date. Additional information about future closures will be sent out at a later time.
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Emergency crews are on the scene of a serious traffic accident involving multiple semi trucks near Lompoc at Santa Rosa Road Wednesday afternoon.
The incident, which occurred at about 1 p.m., spilled diesel fuel onto the roadway and closed the highway in both directions. Drivers are encouraged to use Highway 246 through Buellton as an alternate route.
The California Highway Patrol is reporting the closures on the southbound lane of Highway 1 to last 5-6 hours. The northbound lane may be reopened in an hour according to the CHP incident website.
As of 2:30 p.m., CHP reports long term closures at northbound U.S. Highway 101 and Highway 1, and southbound U.S. 101 at Highway 246.
Crews have called for medical assistance including a Calstar helicopter. One person was flown to the hospital.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
MAP: Highway 1 Crash Near Lompoc