Highway 101 lane change crash near Petaluma damages four cars

Debris littered a couple of Highway 101 lanes north of Petaluma during Monday's evening commute, causing 'horrendous traffic,' said a Rancho Adobe fire official.|
RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A driver changing lanes on Highway 101 during Monday's afternoon commute north of Petaluma struck another vehicle, causing a four-vehicle collision and an evening traffic jam.

The 5:30 p.m. chain-reaction crashes happened in northbound lanes at the base of the Cotati grade. One driver moved into the fast lane and didn't see a vehicle in his way, hitting that vehicle. The impact caused the initial driver to swing back and rear end another vehicle, pushing it into another vehicle, CHP Officer Kerri Post said Tuesday.

Damaged vehicles and car debris blocked two lanes, creating “horrendous traffic,” said Rancho Adobe fire Capt. Larry Martinez. Firefighters using extrication equipment popped off a damaged door trapping one driver inside her car.

The four drivers complained of pain and two were taken to area hospitals with what appeared to be minor injuries, Post said.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 707-521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@rossmannreport.

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