Two crashes near Orcutt result in 2 deaths, multiple injuries

Two people were killed in a vehicle crash on Highway 1 just north of Highway 135 near Orcutt late Saturday night, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

That crash was one of two traffic-related incidents near Orcutt within a short time.

At 10:17 p.m., personnel from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol and Vandenberg Space Force Base were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash, fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others, including a pedestrian, had moderate injuries, Safechuck said.



Additionally, two other people had minor injuries, Safechuck added.

According to a CHP news release, a Honda Civic was traveling northbound on Highway 1 at 11:13 p.m. Saturday at a high rate of speed. A Nissan Sentra was traveling northbound Highway 1 at 65 mph, both approaching the intersection of State Route 135, the agency said.

The Honda Civic struck the Nissan causing left-rear intrusion damage resulting In fatal injuries to the passenger occupying the rear seat, the CHP said.

The Nissan careened to the right shoulder, whereas the Honda Civic rolled but landed on its wheels in the median, the release said.

According to the CHP, the driver of the Honda exited his vehicle into the southbound traffic lanes and was struck by an approaching GMC Yukon.

This impact resulted in fatal Injuries to the Honda driver, according to the CHP.

The surviving parties involved were evaluated on scene and it was determined alcohol or drug Impairment was not a factor, the release said.

At 10:20 p.m. Saturday, firefighters from the Santa Barbara County and Santa Maria Fire departments were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision with at least one person trapped, Safechuck said.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Union Valley Parkway and Orcutt Road, he added.

Two patients had critical injuries, and extrication was in progress, Safechuck said.

The separate incidents each required multiple ambulances.

CHP officers from the Santa Maria area were investigating both incidents and had requested that the vehicles be towed from the scene as evidence.

This story was originally published July 3, 2022 at 1:09 AM.