Two hurt in traffic-snarling crash on Highway 101 in Redwood City
The San Jose Mercury News reported on a devastating crash on the Peninsula earlier this month.
A jackknifed big-rig struck the center median on Highway 101 in Redwood City created a shower of concrete upon impact prior to catching fire. Several chunks flew through the windshield of an SUV, severely injuring the driver. A young woman in the passenger seat was also taken to the hospital.
The big-rig was only traveling at about 55 mph, and was in the slow lane, but its driver lost control and jackknifed for reasons that the CHP has yet to ascertain. Both the truck driver and his passenger did not suffer any injuries. The front portion and about half of the big-rig, which caught on fire, burned for several hours after the crash, according to the Mercury News report.
The truck apparently belonged to Travis Berry Transportation of Gilroy. The company’s owner said this was the worst accident in the trucking company’s history, and confirmed that the driver who caused the accident had only been with the company for a month. The accident led to complete gridlock, shutting down both sides of 101 for hours. CHP officials remarked that it has been several years since even one direction of the highway has been shut down for such a lengthy period.
Despite the fact that the driver appeared to be obeying the speed limit and displaying courtesy to other drivers by using the far right-hand lane, this accident serves as a reminder to give plenty of leeway to big-rigs at all times when you’re driving on freeways or other high-speed roadways.
