One dead after fatal car collision in Nojoqui Summit on Highway 101
NOJOQUI SUMMIT, Calif. — One person is died following a fatal car collision on Highway 101 Sunday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP says, first responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 1:17 p.m. near the Old Coast Highway close to Nojoqui Horse Ranch north of Las Cruces — south of Buellton.
CHP details after an investigation that, a 34-year-old Santa Maria woman was traveling northbound in the fast lane on Highway 101 in a grey 2023 Kia just south of the Old Coast Highway, when, for still unknown reasons, the Kia drifted and collided with the concrete center divider.
A 2010 Mercedes traveling northbound behind the Kia veered to avoid the car when it entered the slow lane after contacting the center divider detail CHP.
The 2010 Mercedes, driven by a still unidentified woman, left the roadway over the east edge, drove down a dirt embankment, and overturned explain CHP.
CHP share that the driver of the 2010 Mercedes sustained fatal injuries as a result of the incident and was declared dead at the scene.
Her identity is being withheld pending notification of her next of kin.
The 2023 Kia continued northbound before colliding with the center divider again and rolling onto its right side in the slow lane of northbound Highway 101 detail CHP.
According to CHP, the driver of the Kia was uninjured, and drugs nor alcohol were determined to have been a factor in this incident.
Santa Barabara County Fire Department's Public Information Officer, Scott Safechuck said one northbound lane of Highway 101 was closed as part of the response, and that emergency personnel remained at the scene for an extended amount of time.
Fatality Accident: 101 NB, N of the Nojoqui Summit. Two vehicles involved. Veh.#1-Roadside non-injury. Veh.#2- 300 ft over the side, driver pronounced deceased, w/extrication required. One NB lane closed. Resources to remain on scene for extended amount of time. CT 1:25pm pic.twitter.com/InUViFZf8m
— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) November 19, 2023
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Buellton Area CHP at 805-688-5551.
