Car-Carrier Driver Who Set Off Hwy 101, 8-Vehicle Crash Had Suspended License: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – A car-carrier driver with a suspended license triggered an eight-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 101 late Tuesday morning when he struck the rear of a pickup truck, California Highway Patrol officials said.

William Sanford, 46, of Santa Rosa, took his eyes off northbound Highway 101 and didn't notice traffic had stopped ahead of him around 11:50 a.m. south of Corona Road in Petaluma, according to the CHP.

The big-rig loaded with cars struck a Dodge Ram 2500, which overturned and struck other vehicles. The car carrier kept driving and struck more vehicles, and a car on the top of the carrier also fell onto the center
divider, CHP officials said.

The driver of the Dodge truck, Boris Ivanov, 59, of Concord, suffered a broken arm and other injuries.

Sanford complained of pain and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and investigators later determined his driver's license was suspended.

The crash closed all northbound lanes of the highway for about an hour. The highway fully reopened around 2:25 p.m.

• Previous: CHP Reopens Hwy 101 After Multi-Vehicle, Injury Crash Near Petaluma
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--Bay City News