LUCERNE, Calif. – The cause of an early Monday afternoon semi crash on Highway 20 in Lucerne that led to traffic detours and power outages is still under investigation.
Driver William Soito III, 56, of Sacramento was traveling to Eureka, driving westbound in a 2002 Sterling semi pulling a trailerload of corrugated steel, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP report from Officer Kevin Domby said Soito entered a lefthand curve near Sixth Avenue and the trailer overturned to the right, resulting in the load of steel hitting the power pole and street sign at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Highway 20.
The truck tractor and trailer both came to rest on their right sides, facing west, and partially blocking Highway 20’s westbound lane, Domby said.
Domby said the crash’s cause remains under investigation.
The crash resulted in major damage to the power pole, which Domby said led to an extended power outage in the immediate area.
Northshore Fire treated Soito at the scene for a minor cut to the top of his head, Domby reported.
Domby said Northshore Fire Protection District responded to the scene and set up a traffic detour with the assistance of a passing California Fish and Game warden.
Power in some areas was restored following the initial outage, although at about 1:15 p.m. Pacific Gas & Electric took the power offline from Seventh Avenue east to Bell Ray Avenue for several hours while the damaged pole was replaced by a PG&E crew from Ukiah. An AT&T crew also was on scene.
Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol were on scene throughout the day to assist with traffic control, due to a long-term closure of Highway 20. They kept traffic moving by routing vehicles around the crash site, moving them down Country Club Drive and back to the highway.
Northshore Fire Protection District personnel also were present throughout the day to help with managing the incident.
Deputy Chief Pat Brown was planning for potential issues due to the power outage, including arranging for enough backup oxygen for local residents.
When power outages occur, people who need to use oxygen tanks must rely on the fire department for assistance in getting replacement bottles, he said.
There were two people who needed backup oxygen, and Brown had arranged with Sutter Lakeside Hospital to bring in an additional supply if needed.
“We’ve got all of our backup supply out,” he said later in the evening, adding that Lakeport Fire also had given Northshore Fire some oxygen to keep them stocked up.
Following the crash, Soito’s little dog Eddie – a Chihuahua/Shih Tzu mix – had escaped from the truck and disappeared for several hours.
Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said fire staff spent about an hour looking for the little dog and notifying residents in the area that he was missing.
Later in the day, a woman who lives on Sixth Avenue came home and found the little dog outside of her house. She brought him down to the crash scene and dropped him off, receiving an ovation from the crowd who was gathered there.
The semi had to be moved in order for PG&E to replace the pole. Willits Towing responded with a large semi tow truck which it used to upright Soito’s truck shortly before 8 p.m.
Brown said forklifts and a flatbed truck were brought in to remove the metal construction materials.
Late Monday officials at the scene reported that the highway would remain closed through most of the night. PG&E was to bring in their own staff to conduct traffic control as work continued to repair and replace equipment.
There were reports from some community members of the power coming back on just after 9 p.m. PG&E said that all customers were expected to have their power restored by 2 a.m.
John Jensen contributed to this report.
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