Highway 101 workers hit by falling steel rods, injured in Petaluma

Two Highway 101 construction workers were injured early Wednesday when a bundle of heavy steel rods hanging overhead was hit by a passing big rig and spilled onto traffic lanes, striking the men as they stood in the center divider, according to the CHP.

The 1:18 a.m. crash occurred in southern Petaluma in an ongoing construction zone near the Petaluma River Bridge.

Workers were offloading a large bundle of rebar with a crane and somehow the bundle swung out over the slow lane, CHP Officer Kerri Post said.

A big rig came along and hit the bundle, causing major damage to the rig and knocking the heavy-duty reinforced steel bars down onto the roadway, Post said.

Vincent Solano, 28, of Santa Rosa had been holding a guide line for the bundle. He was struck and suffered a broken right leg and a head injury.

He remained in Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital on Wednesday afternoon in good condition.

Wayne Reed, 47, of Elk Grove also was hit. Reed had cuts to his head and complained of pain. He was treated at the hospital and released, according to hospital records.

The driver of the Peterbilt rig was not injured.

The incident closed the highway for about 45 minutes, but due to the hour, traffic was light, Post said.