One person was arrested Tuesday afternoon following a crash that left wood debris on Highway 101 in Santa Maria.
Just before 3 p.m., personnel from the Santa Maria Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Maria Police Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the southbound freeway lanes near the Main Street onramp.
A Calstar medical helicopter also was requested, but was later canceled.
CHP Officer Benjamin Smith said the crash occurred when a white Nissan hit the center divider and careened into a pickup carrying wood. The impact knocked the truck onto its side and sent wood debris across the roadway.
One driver was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries, Santa Maria firefighters said.
The Nissan’s driver ran from the scene but was captured a short distance away, Smith said.
The driver, whose name and age weren’t immediately available, has been taken into custody on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol, Smith added.
Traffic on Highway 101 was affected for a short time, and police officers blocked the southbound onramp at Main Street while crews cleaned up the wreckage and debris.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.