Big rigs diverted onto Monterey Road after Sunday evening crash
downs utility lines
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – Southbound big rigs were routed off U.S. Highway 101 and through town Sunday night after a crash downed some utility lines south of the Monterey Road exit.
A 19-year-old Monterey resident was driving southbound on 101 about 7:15pm when he looked down to adjust his radio, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Robert Chiff lost control of his 1999 Acura Integra when he took his eyes off the highway, veered from the second lane through the fast lane and crashed into a steel guard rail, the CHP said.
Chiff’s car then careened to the right side of the road and onto the shoulder, where it struck a utility pole. The Acura overturned and came to rest on its roof, trapping Chiff and injuring his 17-year-old female passenger, a Seaside resident.
The crash caused telephone wires to sag over the southbound lanes of 101, posing a threat to taller tractor-trailers. Trucks were re-routed on Monterey until crews from Verizon responded to repair the damaged pole and remove the lines.
Traffic on southbound 101 was at a crawl about 8:30pm, from the crash site backed up through Gilroy near the Masten Avenue exit. An hour later, the line of cars was slowing from about the Leavesley Road exit.
The CHP re-opened the highway to trucks about 10:30pm.
It was unknown how long Chiff remained in his car before he was extricated and flown by CALSTAR to Regional Medical Center of San Jose with moderate injuries.
The passenger was transported by ambulance to Saint Louise Regional Hospital with a laceration to the chest and a complaint of pain.
