UPDATE: Fiery Car Crash in Santa Maria Kills One
The California Highway Patrol has released the identities of the three people involved in a fiery crash Sunday evening that killed one person.
Travis A. Dashek, 22, Kurt A. Hixenbaugh, 21, and Ashley B. Kerr, 25, all from Santa Maria.
The crash occurred at about 5:45 p.m. Witnesses say they saw Dashek driving a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer in an erratic manner.
CHP stated that Dashek allowed the Blazer to drift off the right shoulder onto a dirt and grass area. The vehicle then struck a sound wall and large tree.
Shortly after the crash, the Blazer became engulfed in flames. Dashek and Hixenbaugh were able to get out of the vehicle but Kerr suffered major head trauma and burns. She died at the scene.
Dashek suffered a lacerated spleen and Hixenbaugh a fractured vertebrae according to the CHP report.
The two survivors were taken by ambulance to the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria for treatment.
Investigators believe alcohol and drugs played a part in the fatal crash. As a result, Dashek was arrested.
