4 cars crash, CHP patrol vehicle damaged on Highway 46 at Union Road in Paso Robles

PASO ROBLES, Calif. - California Highway Patrol reported a crash involving four vehicles, one belonging to a CHP officer, that took place at the intersection of Highway 46 and Union Road in Paso Robles Friday evening.

CHP said that, around 7:45 p.m., Officer Denker with Templeton area CHP was on Union Road stopped at a stop sign where the road met Highway 46. Denker was preparing to make a left turn onto Highway 46 to travel west.

As the officer waited, CHP explained, a silver Nissan Altima driven by 21-year-old Nicholas Mccollum was traveling east on Hwy 46 in the #1 lane at about 60 miles per hour. At the same time, a black Honda CR-V driven by 47-year-old Margarita Santiago was traveling right behind the Nissan. A dark blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by 25-year-old Louis Carlos was also traveling eastbound on Hwy 46 in the #2 lane at about 60 miles per hour.

CHP said Mccollum saw the CHP officer stopped at the intersection and thought that he was about to run through a stop sign himself, though there was no sign posted.

In response, Mccollum slammed on his brakes to stop which caused a chain reaction with the other drivers.

The driver of the Honda tried not to crash into the Nissan by swerving right, but ended up colliding with the left side of the Chevrolet.

CHP said the Chevrolet then began spinning out of control in the direction of the officer's patrol vehicle. The Chevrolet's right rear end subsequently collided with the front end of the patrol vehicle before stopping completely.

No one was injured in the crash.

CHP said that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be involved.

Another CHP officer is continuing to investigate the collision.