Trash hauler tips on Hwy 101 on-ramp

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

A trash truck tipped over while trying to turn onto Highway 101 at the Highway 154 interchange this morning, spilling garbage across the onramp shoulder, authorities said.
Robert Hunter, 44, of Lompoc, attempted to make a sharp left turn onto the freeway ramp in a Santa Barbara County trash transfer truck when the vehicle overturned on its right side, CHP Spokesman Don Clotworthy said, adding that the truck was coming from the County Dump with a full load of garbage.

“During the cleanup and removal operations, the southbound onramp to U.S. 101 will be closed on and off for a short period of time,” Clotworthy said, estimating the scene will be cleared by 3 p.m. and traffic on Highway 101 will not be affected.
Caltrans used a “skip-loader” to clean up the spilled trash, authorities said.

UPDATE, 3:15 p.m.: Excessive speed caused the truck to tip, CHP investigators said.
“The truck was attempting to make the left turn onto the U.S. 101 on-ramp at approximately 40 miles per hour and it should have been traveling at no more than 10-15 mph,” Clotworthy said.
Authorities have cleared the scene and the southbound ramp from Route 154 to Highway 101 is now open.