MORRO BAY, CA, (August 12, 2026) – A 58-year-old Atascadero woman was killed Wednesday morning in a crash on State Route 41 near Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a Ram 3500 was towing a trailer north at about 7 a.m. when a large piece of equipment became dislodged from the trailer, fell into the southbound lane, and struck a Ford Ranger driven by Gemma Salting. Salting’s vehicle left the road, went down an embankment, and struck a tree, the CHP said.
Salting was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred between Morro Bay and Atascadero, just north of Toro Creek Road.
“Our condolences go out to those directly involved. This an unfortunate reminder to properly secure your loads, slow down and always have a high visual horizon, for what is or could occur in front of you,” San Luis Obispo CHP Commander Captain Mike Brown said in a press release.
