Edhat Staff
Tuesday turned tumultuous on Highway 101 as multiple traffic collisions disrupted movement, impacting not only vehicular flow but also train service along the Santa Barbara coast. Early in the day, a significant rollover crash near Refugio exit laid the groundwork for a day marred by disruptions.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBC) was called to a scene at 9:39 a.m. south of the Refugio exit where a Toyota 4-Runner had veered off, plummeting 30 feet and landing on a bike path close to the train tracks. This collision, involving a solo adult female driver with moderate injuries, necessitated a transport to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and led to the closure of adjacent train tracks by Union Pacific. The aftermath saw delays for the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner 761 train, prompting travelers to seek updates on service resumption.
A similar call prompted emergency responders to Highway 101 southbound at El Capitan State Beach around 12:30 p.m. for another vehicle rollover. This vehicle landed on the railroad tracks prompting another closure by Union Pacific.
The solo occupant of this vehicle, an adult male, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital by ground ambulance.
Just fifteen minutes later, emergency responders arrived a quarter mile up Highway 101 for a vehicle that crashed into the center divider. The sole occupant of the vehicle sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Further complicating the situation, a fourth incident unfolded on the northbound lanes of Highway 101, south of Sheffield Drive in Montecito. A collision involving an overturned Marborg garbage truck necessitated the complete closure of the northbound highway, with traffic being diverted at Sheffield Drive.
This accident, reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at 1:03 p.m., saw efforts to clear a truck that had crashed into concrete barriers and slowed traffic substantially.
As of 2:15 p.m., Caltrans stated the #2 (right) lane of northbound Highway 101 is closed while traffic is slow moving in the open #1 (left) lane.
Moving back towards Gaviota, CHP states there are multiple collisions on Highway 101 near Refugio State Beach. First, a vehicle collided with a power pole with lines down by the railroad tracks around 2:45 p.m.
Around 3:00 p.m., a motorist called CHP to report a red pickup truck off the roadway and on its side while a Toyota SUV crashed into the center divider and two additional vehicles were pulled over on the right side of the Highway.
Authorities, in light of these incidents, are urging drivers to exert extra caution, especially under adverse weather conditions. The emphasis on reducing speed, ensuring vehicle maintenance, and heightening overall road awareness underscores the collaborative approach to preventing further disturbances.
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Driver Severely Injured After Crashing Through a Power Pole Near Refugio
Yikes, slow the F down everyone!
A 3rd accident on the 101 north of Goleta at Refugio since this article was posted. Another crash into a telephone pole.
Focus, folks!