Highway 101 crashes near Petaluma slow wet commute

One driver spun off Highway 101 along the Cotati grade and hit a tree, followed soon after by three vehicles colliding on the highway, according to the CHP.|
RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Three crashes snarled travelers on the Cotati grade early Wednesday as commuters faced rainy weather and slowed traffic, according to the CHP.

None of the crashes included major injuries. Northbound traffic was backed up at least to Corona Road in Petaluma, CHP Officer Steve Fricke said.

The first two crashes, between 6:30-7 a.m., happened about 30 feet apart. One driver spun off the highway and hit a tree. Several minutes later, three vehicles in the backup collided, one stopping in the wrong direction, Fricke said.

The vehicles all were moved out of traffic lanes.

Elsewhere in the county there were reports of a few trees down and a boulder was in a lane of the Cazadero Highway.

With rain expected for the next few days, heavy at times, Fricke warned drivers to slow down, watch for standing water and avoid distractions.

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

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