Highway 166 reopened after multiple car crashes, heavy snow block roadway

Update 5:30 p.m.:

Highway 166 is now reopened between Santa Maria and Maricopa.

Caltrans tweeted around 4:30 p.m. that CHP is escorting cars through the route after crashes and weather closed the roadway earlier today.

Drivers are still urged to drive safely in the area and follow the lead CHP vehicle “from a safe distance.”

Original story:

A three-vehicle crash injured several people on Highway 166 in the Cuyama Valley, one of several wrecks that kept crews busy Thursday before the roadway’s closure.

Local drivers and law enforcement officers have reported that highway closures due to snowy conditions east of the Central Coast have led to heavier than normal traffic on Highway 101 and others through Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties on Thursday.

Shortly before noon, personnel from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Los Padres National Forest, the California Highway Patrol and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the crash near Highway 166 and Highway 33.

Kern County Fire Department crews also were dispatched, but had difficulty getting to the scene due to traffic.

A motor home, a silver sedan and a pickup were involved in the collision, with extrication of some patients required.

Three people received moderate injuries and five others had minor injuries, leading to the declaration of a “mass casualty incident,” according to emergency dispatch reports.

A CalStar helicopter was dispatched but later canceled due to snowy conditions in the area, according to emergency dispatch reports.

As crews were dealing with the crash, another driver reported being involved in a different collision involving a semitrailer approximately 1 mile east of Highway 33.

More than two hours earlier, one person was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria after a collision involving a semitrailer and vehicle in the Cuyama Valley, according to CHP emergency dispatch reports.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., personnel were dispatched to a crash near Highway 166 and Kirschenmann Road.

One patient was transported to Marian Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

A CalStar medical helicopter initally was dispatched but later cancelled.

Before authorities decided to close the roadway, Highway 166 had heavy traffic Thursday along with poor weather conditions, according to the CHP emergency dispatch reports.

Early Thursday afternoon, authorities closed Highway 166 east of Highway 101, with Caltrans notified to place signs alerting drivers.

The collisions occurred as Interstate 5 traffic deals with the closures on the Grapevine, forcing travelers to detour to Highway 101.

Additionally, drivers have reported more traffic on Highway 154 between Los Olivos and Santa Barbara.

Local drivers also should expect to see more big rigs traveling on Highway 101 due to the closure of Interstate 5, a major delivery route for trucks transporting goods between northern and southern sections of the state.

Other Central California road closures due to weather conditions include Highway 33, from Highway 166 to Ojai, and Highway 58.

With Highway 166 closed, motorists must use Highway 46 in Paso Robles to reconnect with Interstate 5 and other highways in the San Joaquin Valley.

This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 1:51 PM.