Aggressive driver to blame for fatal crash on Highway 1 near Lompoc

An impatient driver is to blame for causing a crash that ultimately took their own life on Highway 1 near Vandenberg Village on Friday.

The crash happened around 11:05 a.m. on Highway 1 near the Constellation Road off-ramp.

According to traffic investigators, a driver in a dark Toyota Corolla was driving behind two vehicles occupying both lanes while traveling south on Highway 1. The impatient driver attempted to pass the vehicles by driving into the center median. While trying to pass the vehicles on the south side of the road, the aggressive driver clipped one of the southbound vehicles and crossed into oncoming traffic.

The Corolla collided head-on with a white Ford Explorer driven by a 55-year-old woman in the northbound lane.

The male driver of the Corolla that caused the crash then went down an embankment where their vehicle caught fire.

Firefighters say the driver the Corolla that initiated the crash died at the scene. His identity has not been released at this time but CHP confirmed he was a 50-year-old Lompoc man.

The driver of the Explorer was taken to the hospital with major injuries, including a compound fracture to the leg.

A third person, driving the vehicle that was clipped, was uninjured.

Vehicle accident, Hwy 1 and Constellation Rd, Lompoc. C/T 1113. Head on accident involving 3 cars. 1 vehicle over the side and on fire. Major extrication required. 1 fatality and 1 critical transported to Cottage Via SBC helo. Call newsline for more info. @YourFireChief pic.twitter.com/KiarSReZtu

— Daniel Bertucelli (@SBCFireInfo) July 26, 2019