Truck accident snarls 101 evening commute

Highway 101 traffic was stymied into the evening on Thursday in the aftermath of a dramatic collision just south of Railroad Avenue.

A flatbed truck from a nearby winery caused the backup when it reportedly rolled down the hill of the winery on the east side of Highway 101, crossed all three northbound lanes of traffic, and smashed into the concrete center divide, said Officer David Thomas. The collision happened at shortly after 3 p.m.

Northbound traffic backed up through Petaluma to Lakeville Highway and slowed in the southbound direction as well due to rubbernecking.

The truck had been towed away as of shortly after 4 p.m. and its driver transported to a local hospital with severe injuries, said Thomas.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been called, as the accident appears to be a workplace incident, said Thomas. The name of the winery was unknown as of Thursday afternoon.