Highway 101 car crash that stopped traffic on Cuesta Grade caused major injuries
Two drivers suffered major injuries in a head-on car crash near the base of Cuesta Grade during a rain storm Thursday morning.
The crash halted southbound traffic and spilled diesel fuel in the road, the California Highway Patrol said.
As rain soaked the highway, Gary Brennan drove a Toyota Tundra northbound on Highway 101 while Jerell Cryer drove a Chevrolet Silverado 3500 southbound down the highway.
At about 6:44 a.m., Brennan attempted a left turn at Stage Coach Road — moving into Cryer’s path, the CHP said.
Cryer “was unable to avoid the crash,” and his Chevrolet struck the right side of the Toyota.
“The Chevrolet Silverado rolled over and approximately 75 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from rear of the truck bed onto the roadway and right shoulder,” the CHP news release said.
The vehicles came to a rest blocking the southbound lanes of Highway 101, with Brennan and Cryer trapped in their respective cars.
Fire department personnel rescued the men from their vehicles, and both were transported to the Adventist Heath Sierra Vista hospital with major injuries, the CHP said.
Traffic screeched to a halt on Highway 101 behind the scene of the crash during the morning commute.
Traffic was flowing freely by 11:30 p.m., the Caltrans traffic cameras showed.
“Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this collision,” the news release said.
Those with information about the crash can call the CHP at 805-594- 8700.
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM.
