CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Northshore man suffered a head injury and was flown to a regional trauma center on Thursday after his semi truck rolled over on Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks.

Jerry Talton, 58, suffered major injuries in the rollover, which occurred at approximately 11:24 a.m. Thursday and caused the highway to be closed for several hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said Talton was driving a 2009 Peterbilt tractor-trailer combination carrying a load of lumber, traveling westbound on Highway 20 west of the Oasis.

The truck was heading downhill, with the CHP reporting that Talton was traveling at an unsafe speed for conditions.

As Talton entered a sweeping right curve in the road, the truck rolled over, spilling the entire load of lumber and blocking all lanes of the highway, the CHP reported. The truck tractor also rolled over, blocking three traffic lanes.

The CHP said Talton, who was wearing his seat belt, was determined to have suffered a significant head injury and as a result was airlifted by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Highway 20 was closed for approximately four hours due to the significant cleanup effort, according to the CHP.

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