Petaluma Highway 101 crash demolishes motorhome

CHP officers are seeking witnesses to a motorhome crash in northern Petaluma that left the huge vehicle flipped onto its roof and crushed around three occupants.

The driver, whose legs were pinned by the wreckage, was cut free by Petaluma firefighters.

All three people were taken to a hospital for evaluation after Sunday's 5:40 p.m. crash and were treated for minor injuries and released.

The driver told CHP officers he was cut off by another vehicle and lost control when he swerved out of the way, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said Tuesday.

He'd been driving north on Highway 101 near the Old Redwood Highway offramp when the vehicle hit a berm and rolled off of the highway, landing in highway open space inside of the off- and onramp cloverleaf.

The vehicle was apparently moving at highway speeds when it crashed. The impact caused the motorhome to disconnect from its frame, creating a dramatic sight for passing motorists.

Petaluma fire Capt. Brian Morgan said his fire engine rolled up on the unusual crash and firefighters found Bells ambulance paramedics inside the demolished vehicle treating three people inside. Other drivers also had stopped to try and help, Morgan said.

The size of the vehicle made it easy to get to the occupants, Morgan said. Firefighters cut free the driver who was pinned between the ground and his seat.

Sloat asked anyone with information regarding the crash to contact officers at 707-588-1400.

In another unusual call Sunday in Petaluma, firefighters went to Highway 101 along the Petaluma River Bridge for a mobile home that caught fire as it was being hauled through town.

“We were fighting a structure fire on the side of the freeway,” said Petaluma Battalion Chief Jeff Holden.

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