On Tuesday, February 5th, just before 6:30 am, a semi-truck tanker carrying a cargo of gasoline fuel, was traveling northbound on US-101, north of Leggett, in Mendocino County. For reasons still under investigation, the semi-truck collided with Jitney Gulch bridge rail while negotiating the left-hand curve of the bridge.
The semi-truck overturned onto the roadway, blocking the northbound lane of US-101. As a result of the collision, the tank trailer began leaking fuel onto the roadway and shoulder. CHP personnel responded to the scene and assumed incident command. The driver was transported to Jerold Phelps Community Hospital for minor injuries. DUI does not appear to be a factor in this collision.
Due to the fuel spilling onto the roadway and surrounding area, Haz-Mat protocols were established. Mendocino County Environmental Health was notified. US-101 has been shut down in both directions. Northbound traffic is being turned around at SR-1 and southbound traffic is being turned around at Reynolds Over-crossing, south of Piercy. The highway was reopened with one-way traffic control just after 5:00 pm.
The California Highway Patrol Garberville Area office is investigating this collision.
The California Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to slow down and use caution when driving in inclement weather.