KELSEYVILLE >> A two-vehicle crash on Highway 29 in Kelseyville resulted in a small fire and lane closures on Tuesday evening.
The wildland fire started after a Freightliner semi truck, which initially crashed into a sedan and lost control, caught fire, according to the Kelseyville Fire Department.
The incident started just before 5 p.m. when truck driver Joshua West, 48, of Richmond, was headed north on Highway 29. Traveling south on the road was 78-year-old KC Patrick, from Lakeport, when West lost control of the big rig and hit the left side of Patrick’s car.
The collision sent the sedan down an embankment, while the truck came to a stop after crashing into a fence and several trees, according to the California Highway Patrol.
By around 6:20 p.m., the Freightliner caught on fire, prompting Highway 29 to completely close. Kelseyville Fire said while first responders waited for a Ukiah tow truck to remove the big rid, the fire started and jumped over Highway 29 at one point. With a slow rate of spread and immediate response, firefighters managed to contain the blaze, which was near multiple trees and a shed, according to an eyewitness. The truck was destroyed as a result, but the trailer sustained fire damage. CHP did not release whether the trailer was loaded.
Roads reopened at 8:20 p.m.
CHP said Patrick received medical care at Sutter Lakeside Hospital for minor injuries, while West reported no injuries.
