Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
CHP announced all lanes of Highway 101 were reopened by 3:30 a.m. on November 24, 2024.
By the edhat staff
November 23, 2024
A single-vehicle rollover accident occurred on Highway 101 just north of Las Varas Canyon on Saturday morning, causing significant traffic disruption and lane closures, reports the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The incident, which took place at approximately 11:27 am, involved a pickup truck driven by an adult female who sustained minor injuries.
The vehicle lost control, leading to a rollover that resulted in a collision with a utility pole. The impact brought down communication lines owned by Verizon, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck was the sole occupant of the vehicle. She was quickly attended to by first responders and transported by ambulance to the emergency room for treatment. Fortunately, her injuries were reported as minor.
An edhat reader witnessed the aftermath of the collision and before emergency responders were on the scene. They reported numerous vehicles drove through the muddy median to reach the southbound lanes and headed back to Goleta.
Earlier CHP reports stated a semi-truck attempted to drive through the area and became tangled in the fallen communication lines.
The crash had a notable effect on traffic flow along the well-traveled highway, with southbound lanes being completely closed to enable emergency crews to clear the communication lines and debris. Northbound traffic was reduced to a single open lane, causing significant delays for travelers.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has urged motorists to seek alternative routes and to stay informed on the status of the highway reopening by following updates from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Commuters affected by the incident should plan for additional travel time and exercise caution when approaching the affected area.
Emergency repair crews from Verizon were dispatched to the scene to address the downed communication lines. There has been no immediate report on the extent of the damage to the utility infrastructure or the estimated time required to restore full service.
As of the latest updates, the cleanup and repair operations are underway, and relevant authorities are working diligently to reopen the highway to regular traffic as soon as possible. Drivers are advised to stay alert for further advisories from the CHP and local news outlets.
The cause of the rollover is under investigation, and further information will be released as it becomes available. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reminds drivers to maintain safe speeds and remain vigilant while driving, especially in areas where road conditions and unexpected hazards may arise.
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Multiple Crashes on Highway 101 Prompt Authorities to Send Reminders on Safe Driving
What a mess. AT least it’s not a weekday. Details are still up and active at CHP site https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx
Now an 8 vehicle crash on 154 at West Camino Cielo, too.
4:26 PM 11 [27] WILL OPEN RDWY IN APPROX 5 MINS
4:23 PM 10 [26] A29-111 ALL VEHS OFF TO WCC SHORTLY
4:20 PM 9 [25] [Notification] [CHP]-SBSO LL THEY HAVE A HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE 154 AT W CAMINO CIELO
4:17 PM 8 [23] 111 NEG ON RS FOR NOW
4:15 PM 7 [22] [Notification] [CHP]-THOMAS TOWING LL IN TRAFFIC ON THE 154 AT CATHEDRAL OAKS // SHOULD THEY STAY IN TRAFFIC OR USE THE RS?
3:58 PM 6 [18] A29-111 CODE 4 DRIVER IS INVOLVED IN THE TC – HE WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY // PER SBSO ALL VEHS TO RS
3:52 PM 5 [16] [Rotation Request Comment] 1039 THOMAS TOW 805-964-0989 // WILL SEND 2 FLATBEDS
3:42 PM 4 [9] PER SBSO 4 1185’S NEEDED 1 FLATBED
3:24 PM 3 [4] SBSO LT IS 97 //8 VEHS MOD INJURIES
3:23 PM 2 [3] [Notification] [CHP]-Problem changed from 1183-Trfc Collision-Unkn Inj to 1179-Trfc Collision-1141 Enrt by CHP
3:22 PM 1 [2] 7 VEHS TC
So the Verizon lines being torn down prompted the emergency response?
I am very thankful the driver is not seriously hurt! I hope someone was tending to the driver before the passerbyers just drove thru the aftermath.
According to Google maps it will be closed till midnight. How could it take that long to pull lines off the road?