A serious traffic collision occurred today on the northbound side of U.S. Highway 101 near Esperanza Road in Salinas, California, involving two vehicles: a semi-truck and a Ford SUV. The incident took place at approximately 5:34 PM when the semi-truck attempted to cross from the southbound lanes, resulting in a collision that left the Ford SUV lodged underneath the larger vehicle.
Emergency services were quickly notified, and multiple units from American Medical Response and local fire departments responded to the scene. The situation escalated to a major injury incident as the driver and passenger of the Ford SUV were trapped inside the vehicle. A child passenger was reported to be bleeding from the foot, prompting immediate extraction efforts by emergency personnel.
Witnesses indicated that the trapped occupants had instructed bystanders to help remove the child from the vehicle. Firefighters worked diligently to extract the injured individuals while medical teams provided urgent care. The severity of the injuries necessitated the use of specialized equipment for the extraction.
By 6:14 PM, a tow truck was called to assist in removing the Ford SUV from beneath the semi-trailer. The extraction process was completed, and the vehicle was towed from the scene. The status of the semi-truck was not reported as requiring towing.
Traffic on U.S. Highway 101 experienced disruptions during the emergency response, but all lanes were reported to be open by 6:53 PM. The last emergency unit cleared the scene at 7:16 PM, marking the conclusion of the incident response.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision to determine the cause and any potential violations. Motorists are advised to exercise caution in the area as investigations continue.