Two separate accidents involve big rigs, but no major injuries
reported
Gilroy – Two separate accidents involving big rigs on Highway 152 resulted in lane closures for nearly four hours Monday morning, police said. There were no major injuries, however, the traffic delays were caused after one big rig jackknifed across the westbound lane and when a second spilled 12 gallons of oil on the road.
Jose Sanchez, 53, of Tulare was driving a Peterbilt truck westbound about 9am, when he saw the small van in front of him slow to make a turn onto Lovers Lane.
He braked for the van and steered the big rig into the mountain side where it jackknifed, blocking the westbound lane. Sanchez suffered a cut to the head and was transported to Saint Louis Regional Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, police said.
Traffic was disrupted for an hour while Caltrans and California Highway Patrol officers worked to clear the scene.
“Luckily it was after the main commuting hours,” said CHP Officer Chris Armstrong.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
The second collision occurred about two hours later just west of Dinosaur Point.
Los Banos resident Joel Mendoza, 19, was traveling eastbound in a freight truck when he came upon a slower moving rig traveling uphill.
“Apparently he misjudged its speed,” Armstrong said.
Mendoza collided with the rear of the rig causing the trailer to move into the second lane and pushing a third vehicle into the center divider. The freight truck Mendoza was driving came to rest blocking both lanes of traffic and spilling 12 gallons of oil across the road, according to police reports.
The eastbound lanes were closed for two and half hours while emergency crews worked to clean the spill. Westbound traffic was closed for 20 minutes.
All lanes were reopened about 1:30pm. Armstrong estimated that it was at least another 20 minutes before traffic picked up to a normal speed. There were no injuries in the crash and alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
