Fiery CHP Crash on Sunday Closed Northbound 101

On Sunday, an on-duty CHP officer lost control of his vehicle and overturned on northbound Hwy. 101. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and the roadway was closed for an hour due to live rounds from within the patrol car discharging as a result of the fire. The officer was not seriously injured.

At approximately 8:25 p.m., CHP Officer David Hotea was responding to assist another unit that was conducting a DUI investigation. Hotea was travelling at approximately 70-75 m.p.h. when the patrol vehicle began to slide out to the right rear causing him to lose control just north of the Wolfback Ridge Road over crossing. 

The patrol vehicle crossed into the number one lane and then struck an ascending concrete center median divider.  The patrol vehicle drove onto the ascending center median and overturned at least once, landing back in the number one lane. 

After overturning, the patrol vehicle landed on its wheels, slid across all lanes, and struck a wood and metal guardrail on the right shoulder with the front of the patrol vehicle, causing the front air bags to deploy.  The rear of the patrol vehicle then spun counter clockwise and came to rest facing the wrong way on the shoulder. 

The patrol vehicle engine compartment caught fire and spread to the entire vehicle.  Officer Hotea was able to self extricate himself from the driver's side.  The patrol vehicle became fully engulfed with flames.

Officer Hotea was transported to Marin General Hospital by fire paramedics for precautionary purposes for minor abrasions and burns, according to the Marin area CHP's public information officer, Eric Hohmeister.

The roadway was closed at approximately 8:38 p.m. because live rounds from within the patrol vehicle had begun to discharge as a result of the fire.

CHP personnel provided traffic control on scene until the roadway was reopened at approximately 9:40 p.m.