Dead woman identified after head-on collision on Highway 135 Monday morning

ORCUTT, Calif. – A 79-year-old woman died after a two-vehicle, head-on collision near the intersection of Highway 135 and Foster Road Monday.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office Coroner's Bureau has identified the victim as Sharlene Marie Plunkett of Santa Maria as of 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the 26-year-old man and Plunkett were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center from the scene. One needed help from first responders getting out of their vehicle.

The 26-year-old Santa Maria resident in a 2020 Nissan drifted into the lane of Plunkett where he crashed head-on before both needed medical attention.

Portions of Highway 135 were closed as part of the response, but have been reopened detailed the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Plunkett later died from her injuries after being taken to Marian and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.