Highway 17 Partially Reopens After Fatal Crash, Delays Remain

LOS GATOS, CA — After a fatal collision was reported, officials closed Highway 17 for hours on Saturday morning, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department. After nearly 8 hours, one of the two southbound lanes reopened at 3:40 p.m.

Fire crews were working to "mitigate hazards" on the roadway after a tanker truck collided with another vehicle causing at least one fatality at about 8:10 a.m. Authorities were asking the public to avoid the area near the wreckage on southbound Highway 17 at Bear Creek Road.

Northbound lanes of Highway 17 were reopened around 9:10 a.m. but delays were expected, officials reported. All southbound lanes were still closed as of noon.

There was no estimated time as to when the highway would reopen, according to the California Highway Patrol.

"Continue to exercise caution in the area," Santa Clara fire officials tweeted.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

#SCCFD @calfireSCU and @CHPSanJose on scene of a multi-vehicle accident on SB Hwy 17 at Bear Creek Rd. Hwy 17 is CLOSED in both directions between Hwy 9 and Bear Creek Rd. Avoid the area, allow emergency vehicles to pass. #sccfdincidents @KCBSAMFMTraffic pic.twitter.com/c0VM03L3cd
— Santa Clara Co Fire (@sccfiredept) June 5, 2021