Big rig overturns in Paso Robles after running off Highway 101, blocking road

Update (5 p.m.): A previous version of this story reported that the CHP believed the big rig drifted off Highway 101 and overturned, when in fact the truck was driving parallel to the highway on Monterey Road and drifted.

The CHP was unable to confirm reports that the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

Update (3:06 p.m.): The north and southbound lanes of Monterey Road have been closed.

Original story: A big rig overturned after running off of northbound Highway 101 onto a frontage road, according to the CHP.

At approximately 1:34 p.m., a tractor-trailer went off the road for an unknown reason just south of Exline and Monterey Road in Paso Robles.

Smoke was coming from the engine and the semi-truck was blocking northbound Monterey Road.

The semi reportedly missed the railroad by 20 feet while carrying approximately 80,000 pounds of produce.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 1:54 PM.