Pinole Man Killed in Novato 101 Crash

A Pinole man died when his pickup truck slammed into a parked big rig on the 101 Higway north of Novato, authorities said.

Christopher Giovannoli, 43, died when the truck he was driving struck a parked big rig on the side of Highway 101 about 6:30 a.m., authorities said.

Giovannoli was pronounced dead in his pickup, according to Sheriff's Lt. Keith Boyd. 

The tanker driver, who had been asleep in the cab, was uninjured.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, California Highway Patrol officer Andrew Barclay said.

The crash occurred in the northbound lanes -- about halfway between the Atherton Avenue exit and the Redwood Landfill -- on a stretch commonly known as the Narrows. It is a section of the highway that makes a gentle bend to the left for northbound vehicles, and where there is an extra-wide paved shoulder and additional gravel.

The tanker was parked 18 feet to the right of the far right lane, authorities said.

"This (pickup) traveled well off the roadway and collided with the tanker, so it was not as if the rig was right next to traffic," Barclay said. "... We did not have to clear any lanes (of debris) because it was so far off the roadway."