California Highway Patrol

On October 3, 2008 at 6:10 a.m., a roll-over collision involving a heavy-duty tow truck occurred on US 101 southbound, at the Telephone Road under-crossing.

Juan Zavala, 33 years of age out of Oxnard, was driving a heavy-duty tow truck in the fast lane of US 101 southbound, just north of the Telephone Road under-crossing. For unknown reasons, the tow truck swerved to the left and collided into a metal guard rail at the Telephone Road under-crossing. The truck then skidded out of control within the fast lane and eventually tipped over onto its left side within a dirt center median, just south of Telephone Road.

The collision ruptured fuel tanks on the truck, causing approximately 120 gallons of diesel fuel to spill into the center median. CHP officers responded to the scene, as well as personnel from Cal-Trans and the Ventura City Fire Department. Personnel from the fire department were able to contain the spill within the center median without incident. The collision forced a closure of the fast lane at this location for several hours while emergency crews worked to clear up the scene and to remove the vehicle.

Zavala, who was the sole occupant of the tow truck, suffered only minor injuries. There were no other vehicles involved in this collision. The incident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.