Three Injured in Big Rig Crash

The regional California Highway Patrol office reported today that a Freightliner 18-wheeler overturned in the southbound lanes of Highway 101 just north of the Milpas exit yesterday afternoon, spilling oil in two of the lanes and resulting in a five-car pileup.

According to a news release from CHP, an unknown vehicle changed lanes in front of the Freightliner, causing the driver to slam on his brakes and then lose control. The truck driver then struck the vehicle in front of him, just a split-second later was struck by the vehicle directly behind him, and swerved into the rear of the vehicle to one side of him. The first vehicle was forced into the center divider. As of 4:35 p.m., two lanes were jammed, and a motorist reported heavy traffic. Two cars in the northbound lanes were struck by debris from the crash, said dispatchers. Drivers of four of the seven vehicles involved were residents of Santa Barbara County.

Contrary to what was reported last night, minor injuries were reported for the driver and passenger of one vehicle traveling northbound, both residents of Newbury Park, and major injuries were reported for a passenger in what CHP describes as “the fifth vehicle,” a 1995 Dodge pickup driven by a man from Corona. All those with injuries were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The collision remains under investigation by CHP at this time.