SLO man killed in Hwy. 154 crash near Lake Cachuma

A San Luis Obispo man has been identified as the driver who died Saturday in a head-on collision on Highway 154 near Lake Cachuma.

The crash involving a Honda Accord and a Ford Fusion occurred shortly before 6 p.m. just east of the entrance to the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver who died was Daniel Anthony Andrade, 21, of San Luis Obispo, according to Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau.

The CHP said Andrade was behind the wheel of the Honda, which was eastbound at a high rate of speed, “making unsafe passing movements over double yellow lines.”

The Honda crossed into the opposing lane, where it slammed into the westbound Ford, Asmussen said.

Andrade was trapped in the wreckage, and required extensive extrication, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

He was airlifted by Calstar medical helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A GoFundMe account was been established for Andrade’s family to pay for burial and medical expenses.

The Ford driver, a 40-year-old New Mexico woman, was taken by AMR ground ambulance to Cottage with major injuries. Her name was not available.

A third person reportedly sustained minor injuries in the collision, and also was taken to Cottage Hospital.

Highway 154 was shut down for about an hour in the area of the crash, which was under investigation by the CHP.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, the CHP said.

This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 10:48 AM.