2 people badly injured after wrong-way driver crashes on Highway 101 in SLO County
Two men suffered major injuries in a head-on crash on Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo County early Thursday morning, the California Highway Patrol said.
At about 12:43 a.m., David Berdahl was driving a 2008 Ford Ranger northbound in the southbound lane of Highway 101 in Arroyo Grande, the CHP said in a news release.
Meanwhile, Anthony Padron was driving a 2009 Jeep Liberty southbound in the correct lane on Highway 101.
When Padron saw headlights approaching, he swerved to the right — but was unable to avoid the crash, according to the CHP.
The two vehicles collided head-on just north of Grand Avenue and “came to a rest blocking the southbound lanes,” the release said.
Berdahl was trapped in the Ford with major injuries after the crash. First responders rescued him and transported him to the Adventist Health Sierra Vista hospital for treatment.
Padron meanwhile escaped the Jeep before it caught fire and was sent to the Marian Regional Medical Center with major injuries, the CHP said.
“It is believed alcohol played a factor in this collision,” the release said.
Those who witnessed the crash or have information regarding the incident were asked to call the CHP at 805-594-8700.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 10:03 AM.
