Multi-Vehicle Crash Halts Traffic and Spills Gallons of Diesel on Southbound Highway 101

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A multi-vehicle crash snarled traffic and caused a spill of around 60 gallons of diesel across southbound Highway 101 Thursday morning.

Notably, none of the involved people were seriously injured and nobody was transported from the scene shared the Montecito Fire Department.

Caltrans District 5 shared at 10:50 a.m. Thursday that all southbound lanes have reopened, but drivers are urged to use caution as responders remain on the scene and traffic is still slowed.

On Sep. 24, around 1:40 a.m., three vehicles were involved in a crash on southbound Highway 101, just north of Sheffield Drive stated the California Highway Patrol-Santa Barbara (CHP).

According to the CHP, a 34-year-old was driving a Freightliner in the number two lane when a truck tractor began to pass it in the number one lane.

For reasons still under investigation, the Freightliner veered to the left, collided with the truck tractor combination, and caused the truck tractor to crash into the concrete center divider explained the CHP.

A third vehicle traveling in the number two lane then crashed into the rear of the Freightliner and veered to the right, striking a guardrail along the right shoulder detailed the CHP.

Around 60 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled across southbound lanes as a result and a HAZMAT team has been on the scene cleaning the spill shared the CHP.

All southbound lanes were closed for cleanup, vehicle removal, and an investigation of the scene explained the CHP.

Concrete dividers intended to replace the damaged safety infrastructure will be installed stated the CHP.

Anyone with more information about this crash is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol office in Santa Barbara at 805-770-4800.

"Motorist are advised to avoid the areas, use alternate routes when possible, and allow additional travel time," added Santa Barbara Area Commander Captain Eric Zivic with the CHP.