Lakeville Highway reopened after multi-car crash

The northbound lane of Lakeville Highway at Stage Gulch Road is reopened after a six-vehicle accident closed the road for more than an hour, the CHP said.

Traffic was diverted to Stage Gulch and Adobe roads, causing a 5-mile backup north on Lakeville during the heart of evening rush hour.

The accident was caused when a Honda sedan that was heading south on Lakeville turned left in front of a big rig that was traveling north, CHP Sgt. Dave Hoff said.

The big rig, he said, 'T-boned' the Honda causing moderate to major injuries to the driver who was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. No one else was in the Honda at the time of the accident. The driver of the truck was not injured, Hoff said.

Several other cars were struck by debris or were forced to the side of the road, the CHP said. There were early reports of a diesel oil spill, but once responders were on the scene, it was determined a hazardous materials team was not necessary.

There have been two fatal accidents on Lakeville since June.

You can reach Staff Writer Elizabeth M. Cosin at 521-5276 or elizabeth.cosin@pressdemocrat.com.