UPDATE (3:01 p.m.) - At 2:54 p.m., CHP reported both lanes of Hwy 46 have reopened at the crash scene.
Traffic remains backed up in the area.
—
UPDATE (1:38 p.m.) - Officials say one person was killed and another was majorly injured in the crash along Hwy 46. Two others sustained minor injuries.
Photos shared from the scene show one vehicle flipped along the highway and a black pickup truck with a mangled front end in a field. A medical helicopter and San Luis Ambulance were among the first responders at the scene.
CAL FIRE SLO confirmed four vehicles were involved in the crash and say traffic is backed up for several miles.
Officials say the crash happened in the eastbound lane of Hwy 46, west of Jack Ranch Cafe in Cholame.
TRAFFIC COLLISION: HWY 46 E near Jack Ranch in #Cholame. #RanchIC Four vehicles involved, one deceased, one major, and two minor injuries. Traffic is closed and backed up for several miles. Use alternate routes. #CountyOfSlo pic.twitter.com/4QjQfPQ4oQ
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) January 31, 2022
__
UPDATE (12:52 p.m.) - CHP told KSBY that several emergency responders and tow trucks are responding to the crash.
CHP has not yet confirmed the extent of the injuries, but say they are investigating what may have caused the crash.
Both lanes of Hwy 46 remain closed at the crash scene, and drivers in both directions are warned to expect delays.
__
(12:36 p.m.) - Officials are responding to a multi-vehicle crash that blocked both lanes of traffic on Hwy 46 in Cholame early Monday afternoon.
The crash was first reported at about 12:07 p.m. along Hwy 46 near Jack Ranch Cafe. Initial CHP reports indicate that seven vehicles may be involved, including a GMC Yukon that rolled over in the crash.
Officials say traffic along Hwy 46 is stopped in both directions. Eastbound traffic is stopped at Bitterwater Rd.
Highway 46 East is closed in both directions in the Cholame area of San Luis Obispo County due to a multi-vehicle traffic incident. Expect heavy congestion in this area.@PIOJimShivers https://t.co/3LbBe8so71
— Jim Shivers (@PIOJimShivers) January 31, 2022
Caltrans recommends drivers heading between the coast and the valley use Hwy 166 as an alternate route.
CAL FIRE SLO, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff and the Templeton area CHP were responding to the crash.
This is a developing story. We will update it as more information becomes available.
