[05-20-2026] San Luis Obispo County, CA – Fiery Car Crash Blocks Highway 101 in Pismo Beach

A crash involving a vehicle fire caused major traffic delays in Pismo Beach on Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident was reported around 9:38 a.m. on northbound Highway 101 near the Wadsworth Avenue off-ramp.

Authorities stated that a Mini Cooper crashed and caught fire, blocking both northbound lanes of the highway. State Parks officers diverted traffic at the Wadsworth Avenue off-ramp through Price Street while emergency crews responded to the scene.

Ambulances and tow trucks were dispatched following the crash. Officials later reported that ambulances were released from the scene around 9:51 a.m., though traffic remained heavily impacted through the area.

At approximately 10:34 a.m., lanes began reopening as tow trucks worked to clear the damaged vehicles. A Subaru sustained rear-end damage in the aftermath of the initial collision and required additional towing services.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the incident.

What A Lawyer Can Do For You

Many victims put off calling a lawyer even if they sustain injuries after an accident. However, lawyers can help you in many ways. They can provide you with police reports, CCTV footage, and witness statements to strengthen your case. Your attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. The best part is that they will do all of these things for you at no upfront cost. So if you’re injured in an accident, hire a personal injury attorney to recover medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.