Man Dies in Head-On Collision

A semi-tractor-tailor and another vehicle collided early this morning on State Route 166 near Cuyama, leaving one person dead.

According to California Highway Patrol, at 3:18 a.m. 20-year-old Moreno Flores Jr of Bakersfield was driving a 2001 Freightliner, with a set of doubles in tow, westbound on SR-166.

A 29-year-old male from Bakersfield was driving a 2000 GMC Sonoma eastbound on SR-166.

For unknown reasons, the Sonoma drifted into the westbound lane of traffic directly in front of the semi-truck and collided with the truck head on.

CHP reports the Sonoma spun into the south shoulder and the tractor-trailer jackknifed leaving the westbound lanes of traffic blocked.

SR-166 was temporarily closed in both directions between US-101 at Santa Maria and Cuyama from 3:30 a.m. until 5:50 a.m..

The driver of the Sonoma sustained fatal injuries and died on scene; CHP reported he was wearing his seat belt.
The driver of the semi-trailer sustained minor injuries and declined medical care.

CHP reports the cause of the collision is unknown at this time and is currently under investigation.

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