UPDATE (1:05 p.m.) - The #3 lane of the highway remains closed but is expected to open by 1:30 p.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver veered off the roadway and lost control when trying to correct the semi's path, causing the truck to overturn and spill its load of red peppers.
The driver was not injured and no other vehicles were involved.
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(7:21 a.m.) - Just before 6:20 a.m. Wednesday the CHP dashboard reported a rolled over semi truck in the south bound lanes of US-101 in Santa Maria just before the East Main Street off ramp.
The semi landed on its side in lane #3 (the slow lane) and spilled its contents onto the roadside. Injuries are unknown at this time although an ambulance was called to the scene.
This has prompted a hard closure of the #3 lane and a partial closure of the #2 lane through the incidents vicinity. Traffic is still able to move through the region at a much slower pace. Here is a look at the backed up traffic as of 7:20 a.m.
The closure does not have an estimated opening time at this point.
At 6:44 a.m. the alert was upgraded to a SIG ALERT by CHP.
