Three cars crash on Highway 101 to avoid loose dog running down center divider in Carpinteria

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Three cars crashed on northbound Highway 101 to avoid a loose dog running down the center divider near Santa Monica Rd in Carpinteria on Wednesday afternoon, according to Carp-Summerland Fire. As of Thursday, the dog has not yet been found.

One minor injury was reported, but did not require hospitalization according to Carp-Summerland Fire.

According to California Highway Patrol, the black German Shepherd ran southbound on the northbound side of the center divider, starting from Santa Clause Ln and running all the way to the county line.

CHP said that the owner, driving a black truck, first pulled over at Padaro Ln around 1:47 p.m. when their dog ran up the exit off-ramp and out onto right side of the southbound highway.

The dog then moved over to the center divider near Santa Monica Rd, and started running south on the northbound side of the divider.

The crash was reported at Santa Monica Rd at 1:49 p.m.; Carp-Summerland Fire said officials responded to find one car with minor damage, and two cars with moderate damage that required towing.

Drivers told the first responders the crash happened because they were trying to avoid the loose dog.

Traffic built up between Bailard and Santa Clause Ln throughout the afternoon, due to the incident.

The CHP log shows that the owner continued to follow the dog's path up until the last reported update at 2:10 p.m., saying the dog had reached the county line, still in the center divider.

CHP said that the owner was picked up by people who helped drive around looking for the dog. As of 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, they have not yet found the German Shepherd.