Big Rig Crash Shuts Down Hwy. 101 in Rohnert Park

Updated 9 p.m. All lanes of northbound U.S. Highway 101 have reopened tonight after a tanker crash caused a fuel spill that closed the roadway this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at around 6:30 a.m. north of state Highway 116 in Cotati. A big-rig swerved to avoid a fuel tanker that was stopped in traffic and clipped a fuel pipe or piece of equipment on the tanker, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

Between 1,200 and 1,500 gallons of fuel spilled. All lanes were reopened by about 7:35 p.m. this evening, according to the CHP. No injuries were reported.

Updated 3:18 p.m. The driver of the involved tanker has been identified as Lamont Tolley, 46, of Santa Rosa. Tolley was driving northbound when he came upon slow traffic, and swerved to the left. The tanker struck a flatbed trailer, causing the damage and spill.

Meanwhile, CHP has set up an improvised lane using the existing center median. The road is not expected to be fully open until 9 this evening.

Updated 2:20 p.m. One lane of northbound 101 in Coati is expected to open at approximately 2:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The second lane is expected to be closed until approximately 9 p.m. Police are warning motorists to expect heavy traffic and delays on northbound 101 south of 116 in Cotati during the evening commute.

Updated 1 p.m. Northbound U.S. Highway 101 is closed indefinitely because of a crash that involved a big-rig and a fuel tanker this morning, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

The fuel tanker was stopped in traffic when another big-rig swerved to avoid it and clipped a fuel pipe or piece of equipment on the tanker, said CHP Officer Jon Sloat.

"We're going to try to get one lane open by the afternoon commute, but we're not sure if it's going to be possible," he said.

Sloat said following the cleanup, Caltrans will examine the roadway to determine if the fuel spill damaged the asphalt, and make any repairs.

"They may have to repave the road," he added. "That takes time."

Updated 10 a.m. Sonoma County HazMat teams are pumping into containers an estimated 1,200 gallons of fuel that spilled on Highway 101 in Rohnert Park, after a tanker and a big rig crashed at about 6:30 Thursday morning — crippling traffic lanes northbound for hundreds of commuters.

The tanker was carrying 4,200 gallons of fuel, and when it crashed the gas began to leak onto the roadway near Rohnert Park Expressway, Sloat said.

"The two trucks collided, and tore a hole in the fuel tanker," said Sgt. Joe Ferronato, with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, which responded immediately with two fire engines and about a dozen officers. "The fumes are very dangerous."

Officers with the CHP said the roadway will likely be closed until 2 p.m.

"That's optimistic," Sloat said around noon.

Ferronato said no one was injured and there was no fire, but lanes were closed down becuase the gas spill could ignite at any minute, especially if cars were traveling over it.

Police are advising local traffic to use Redwood Drive on the west side of the freeway and Commerce Boulevard through A Section on the east side as an alternate route. Additional alternate routes are Stony Point Roadd or Petaluma Hill Road. All alternate rouotes are currently back-up due to the increased volume of traffic, expect delays.

Meanwhile in Rohnert Park, cars and trucks were backed up onto residential streets. Commerce Boulevard near the freeway remains closed between Southwest Boulevard and Avram Avenue. Traffic is clogged through A Section, on Commerce at Rohnert Park Expressway and on Southwest. Police are warning drivers to expect delays in traffic throughout Cotati and Rohnert Park traveling north.

Officials with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board were also on scene to determine who was at fault for the collision and determine any possible damage to the surrounding creeks or wildlife.

Firefighters in Rohnert Park are also tapping local fire hydrants in case a fire ignites.

-View photos of the accident and local streets to the right. Bay City News contributed to this report.