Fatal Traffic Collision Near Buellton Fire

By the edhat staff
(Updated information from CHP added below)

One person has died in a traffic collision off Highway 101 in Buellton near an active brush fire.

On Wednesday afternoon, Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the northbound lanes, just south of Jonata Park Road where crews discovered a silver Honda Odyssey van collided with a white Toyota Tundra truck.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) states the driver of the van was traveling in the #1 lane and approaching stopped traffic ahead. The truck was at a stop in the #1 lane along with other vehicles in both lanes.

For unknown reasons, the van collided with the rear of the truck causing the truck to be propelled into the center median where it overturned. The van also collided with the rear of a Honda Accord sedan in the #2 lane. The van overturned and came to a stop at the raised shoulder area of the roadway.

The male driver and solo occupant of the van was declared deceased by emergency responders due to the extent of the injuries.

The female passenger of the truck took 15 minutes to extricate from the vehicle. She sustained moderate injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital  for treatment. The male driver denied any medical treatment.

Captain Scott Safechuck stated the collision took place near the active brush fire that sparked earlier that day.

The collision is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol and at this time they do not believe alcohol and drugs to be a factor in the crash.

The roadway was open in both directions.  

Photo: SBCFD