Big-Rig Collision Ties Up 101 Traffic

A big-rig crash on the southbound Ventura Freeway at Seaward Avenue in west Ventura caused traffic problems for about three hours Thursday night.

Traffic was backed up on highways 101 and 33.

According to a witness, the 5:15 p.m. crash involving an 18-wheeler loaded with produce and an empty gasoline tanker was caused by a dog that darted into traffic.

“It all happened so fast,” said Jan Marten of Oak View, who avoided the collision by driving her small station wagon onto the right shoulder of the freeway.

“Everyone jammed on their brakes to avoid the dog,” Marten said. “I’m not sure what kind of dog it was. Maybe a golden retriever.”

The dog was struck by the tanker and killed.

Rafael Barrera of Los Angeles, the driver of the produce truck, said a minivan driving south in front of the tanker slammed on its brakes to avoid the dog. The driver of the tanker then slammed on his brakes and veered to the right. Barrera struck the tanker on the right side in the rear.

The tanker spun around, coming to rest across all three southbound lanes and tying up traffic for about half an hour until the cab and front tank were separated from the rear tank, allowing traffic to pass in the fast lane.

The other two lanes were cleared just before 7 p.m., and crews expected to have everything cleared off the side of the roadway by 8 p.m.

No one was injured.

The crash caused spectator slowing on southbound Harbor Boulevard, and as a result there was a minor collision involving two small trucks at the intersection of Harbor and San Pedro Street, near San Buenaventura State Beach Park.