All Hwy 101 lanes reopened after Novato crash knocks down power lines, sparks brush fire

NOVATO, Calif. -- All lanes have reopened after a solo vehicle crash into a power pole along U.S. Highway 101 in Novato snarled traffic and cut power to thousands of people Thursday morning.

At about 9:20 a.m., an elderly woman was driving north in a white Jeep on Highway 101 when she hit a power pole near the state Route 37 interchange, according to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Officer Arthur Tellez.

The woman suffered only minor injuries, but power lines came down across both sides of the highway and sparked small brush fires on the shoulders of both the northbound and southbound lanes, Tellez said.

Traffic backed up for miles as PG&E crews worked to cut power to the lines so fire crews could get in and douse the flames.

The crash happened where Highway 101 and 37 meet at South Novato Boulevard, prompting lane closures. Lanes reopened just after noon.

CHP Marin posted several photos to X showing power lines across the highway and several cars stopped in both directions.

PG&E initially reported that more than 6,000 customers were without power in the area. As of 12:35 p.m. Thursday, that number was knocked down to about 698 customers.

Novato police are urging drivers to avoid the area, with several nearby ramps also shut down as emergency crews work the scene.

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.

ABC7 Eyewitness News contributed to this report.