Traffic & Transit
101 Freeway Reopens After Two Hour Freeway Standoff
A driver refused to exit his car after pulling onto the right shoulder, leading to a standoff that caused miles of traffic buildup.
SHERMAN OAKS, CA — A standoff between a driver and several California Highway Patrol cars created a two-hour traffic snarl on the northbound 101 freeway that stretched for miles Wednesday morning. The standoff closed all lanes on the freeway at Haskell Avenue at 9:41 a.m.
Authorities were involved in a standoff with the driver of a dark SUV parked on the freeway's right shoulder who refused to exit the car. CHP Officer Peter Nicholson said the driver was "acting strange" inside his car before he pulled off to the right shoulder.
Officers tried to lure the man out of his car, but eventually broke his windows after he refused to come out. Another officer then opened the passenger door and dragged him out of the car, handcuffing and arresting him around 11:30 a.m.
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Traffic at one point was at a standstill all the way back to Fulton Avenue. CHP reopened the freeway at 11:44 a.m., with the exception of the slow lane where the driver was taken into custody.
Driver is now in CHP custody. We will be opening the WB 101 Fwy lanes shortly as emergency personnel clear the scene. Thanks to our allied agencies for assisting us with this incident. pic.twitter.com/1zOZ28oOIX
— CHP - West Valley (@CHPWestValley) June 2, 2021
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