Community Corner

Big Rig Driver Loses Control, Overturns on Southbound 101, Backup Ensues

The driver may have fallen asleep just before the crash and that was being investigated, according to the CHP in Gilroy.

A big rig overturned Wednesday morning on U.S. 101 south of Gilroy in south Santa Clara County, and lanes were blocked through most of the morning rush, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred about 6:50 a.m. March 27 on the southbound 101, south of State Route 25 and north of the Sargent overcrossing, Officer Erica Elias of the Gilroy CHP said in a phone interview.

The big rig was in the slow lane and it drifted toward the center divider, then the driver over-corrected to right and the big rig went up an embankment, which caused it to roll over, Elias said.

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The driver may have fallen asleep just before the crash and that was being investigated, Elias said.

"Both lanes blocked up until about 10:15 a.m.," Elias said. "We diverted traffic around the center median, which is wide enough for motorists."

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Southbound traffic backed up to State Route 25, also known as Hollister Road, Elias said.

Northbound traffic from San Benito County was not impeded, though some motorists slowed to look at the crash scene.

The crash resulted in an undetermined amount of property damage, Elias said. There were no injuries.

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