UPDATE (10:48 a.m.) - CHP reports crews lifted the northbound closure at Winchester Canyon Rd. at about 10:35 a.m.
Officials say they are slowly leading traffic through the area.
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(6:32 a.m.) - Hwy 101 is closed to northbound traffic through Gaviota after a fatal crash early Thursday morning.
A crash involving a semi truck in the slow lane of northbound Hwy 101, just south of Calle Mariposa Reina, was first reported around 4:52 a.m.
Officials report the driver of a semi truck was driving the speed limit when the vehicle crashed into a group of trees. The driver was killed in the crash. No other passengers were inside the truck at the time.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Vehicle Accident- HWY101 NB just south of Calle Mariposa Reina.
— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) July 7, 2022
Semi Truck traveling at HWY Speed into group of Trees. Single driver occupant/ fatality. NB 101 closed for ext. time. SBC Fire Clearing. CHP investigating. CT 4:58am pic.twitter.com/wkWsi0NI6i
The crash left debris across the northbound lanes, CHP reports. Santa Barbara County Fire officials are cleaning up the area.
Hazmat crews are at the site of the crash to clean up a fuel spill caused by the crash.
CHP is investigating the cause of the crash.
No word yet on how soon the highway could reopen.
*This story has been updated to correct the day the crash occurred as being Thursday.
