UPDATE (4:27 p.m.) - A 20-year-old man from Atascadero reportedly suffered major injuries in a crash on Highway 101 just north of the Highway 46 West interchange Friday afternoon.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the man was distracted by his cell phone and allowed his vehicle, a Ford Explorer, to drift into the center median.
While trying to regain control of the vehicle, officers say he turned hard to the right, causing the Explorer to begin rotating in a clockwise direction and cross both northbound lanes. Once the vehicle reached the dirt shoulder, it rolled several times, broke through a chainlink fence, and hit seven vehicles that were parked along Ramada Dr. in front of the Firestone Walker brewery. No one was inside the cars that were damaged.
CHP officers say the driver was not properly restrained and was partially ejected during the crash. He was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries that include a broken leg.
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(1:46 p.m.) - Caltrans issued a SIG Alert warning of heavy traffic after a rollover crash on Highway 101 near Paso Robles on Friday.
The crash was reported just after 12:30 p.m., northbound at the Highway 46 West interchange.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle overturned off the highway, leaving at least one person with injuries.
Heavy traffic is expected until at least 2 p.m.
