[09-23-2024] Santa Barbara County, CA – Woman Killed, Man Critically Injured After Two-Vehicle Head-On Collision on Highway 135 in Orcutt

A woman was killed and a man was critically injured after a two-vehicle head-on collision on Highway 135 in Orcutt, Santa Barbara County, on Monday, September 23, 2024.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision occurred shortly before noon at the intersection of Highway 135 and East Foster Road. 

CHP officers identified the drivers involved in the crash. Jordan G., 26, of Santa Maria, was driving a 2020 Nissan Altima northbound on Highway 135 near the Foster Road intersection. Meanwhile, a 2015 Honda Civic, driven by a 79-year-old Santa Maria woman, was traveling south on Highway 135 in the right turn lane.

For reasons yet to be determined, the Nissan drifted to the left, crossing into the southbound lanes, then struck the Honda head-on.

Responding crews from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department extricated one of the drivers from their heavily damaged vehicle. 

Both individuals sustained major injuries and were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center by American Medical Response ambulance, according to County Fire spokesperson Karen Cruz-Orduña.

Tragically, the driver of the Honda sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. 

CHP investigators are currently looking into the cause of the collision. 

No further details were immediately available.