PARADISE COVE – An early morning traffic incident closed down a portion of Highway 20 for several hours on Thursday.

A big rig rolled over on the highway near Paradise Cove at 4:45 a.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia.

Garcia said Joshua Cellars of Sacramento was driving a 2000 Peterbuilt tractor and trailer eastbound at Paradise Cove when the truck and trailer flipped over onto its right side.

Based on the preliminary investigation, Garcia said it appears the truck was going too fast for roadway conditions with regard to the load it was carrying.

No other vehicles were involved, said Garcia. Cellars sustained minor injuries.

The truck was hauling plywood which spilled and blocked the highway until 8:30 a.m., Garcia said. Motorists were diverted at Highway 53 in Clearlake Oaks and at Highway 29 in Upper Lake.

A Caltrans crew was dispatched and cleared the lumber out of the roadway where the truck's company, Inter City Inc., could remove it later, said Garcia.

A small amount of fuel from the truck was spilled but was quickly contained by emergency personnel, he added.

Officer Nick Powell is investigating the incident, Garcia said.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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