Highway 17 was closed in both directions in the Santa Cruz Mountains because of a fatal, multi-vehicle crash Saturday morning, the Santa Clara County Fire Department announced on social media. The road was closed between Highway 9 and Bear Creek Road and motorists were being urged to avoid the area and to allow emergency vehicles to pass. The closure of the southbound lanes of the highway lasted through the afternoon, until one lane opened.
The Santa Clara County Fire Department is reporting that Highway 17 will be closed for three hours after a tanker truck collided with another vehicle causing at least one fatality at about 8:10 a.m.
Hazmat crews have been requested at the scene as the septic pumping truck began leaking an unknown substance.
According to CHP, the septic truck s breaks gave out while driving on a black road and crashed against a concrete barrier.
The drivers of the Mercedes and the septic truck were transferred to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The agency tweeted the accident took place on southbound Highway 17 and prompted closures between Highway 9 and Bear Creek Rd.
Both lanes of the highway were closed for about an hour until northbound lanes reopened at around 9:26 a.m.
#SCCFD@calfireSCU and @CHPSanJose on scene of a multi-vehicle accident on SB Hwy 17 at Bear Creek Rd. Hwy 17 is CLOSED in both directions between Hwy 9 and Bear Creek Rd. Avoid the area, allow emergency vehicles to pass. #sccfdincidents@KCBSAMFMTrafficpic.twitter.com/c0VM03L3cd Santa Clara Co Fire (@sccfiredept) June 5, 2021
With another dangerous wildfire season on the horizon, Palo Alto fire is teaming up with Santa Clara County fire and Los Altos Hills to fully staff its foothills fire station until the end of October.