Spilled grapes close Highway 101 near Cloverdale

A big rig driver suffered an asthma attack, lost control of his truck and spilled two trailers full of grapes on Highway 101 near Cloverdale on Sunday, the CHP said.

Douglas Kell, 67, of Willits, was hauling a load of grapes from Mendocino County on southbound Highway 101 at about 11:45 a.m., when he began coughing uncontrollably. The truck began to drift onto the right shoulder, and Kell tried to steer the rig back into the lane.

The movement shifted the load of 24 plastic bins full of grapes, and one bin fell between the two trailers, ripping off an axle on the rear trailer, according to the CHP. Kell lost control of the vehicle and the trailers overturned, spilling the entire load across both southbound lanes.

Cloverdale Fire Department and Cal Fire responded to the scene, moved all of the grapes to the shoulder and washed off the roadway. The freeway was closed for approximately 30 minutes causing a half-mile backup.

Kell sustained no injuries. No other vehicles were involved.