*Update as of 3:45 p.m. – One lane of southbound 101 is now open according to CHP.
Staff Report
A multi-vehicle accident near El Capitan State Beach shut down southbound traffic along Highway 101 around 2:15 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. According to traffic scanners the accident could be the result of a wrong-way DUI driver.
There were also initial reports that a person was trapped in a vehicle, but that could not be confirmed.
Injuries were reported, but there were no details.
Caltrans issued a Sigalert for southbound Highway 101, noting that traffic was being detoured to Highway 154. Motorists in the Santa Ynez Valley should be aware of heavier than normal traffic.
Southbound motorists were being turned around at Refugio State Beach and there was no estimate of when the lanes would be reopened, Caltrans sent out in a press release.
