Nipomo Woman Involved in Fatal Vehicle Crash Now in Good Condition
**UPDATE**
Marian Regional Medical Center released some good news. Paulette Cole, 70, the Nipomo woman that was in critical condition after surviving an accident on the Santa Maria River Bridge back on February 20, is now in good condition.
William Dixon of Nebraska was driving a pickup truck with a camper northbound when he collided head-on with a Ford Aspire, driven by Paulette’s husband, William Cole.
Dixon died from his injuries. Both William and Paulette suffered major injuries.
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ORIGINAL STORY
Emergency crews were on scene of a head-on crash between a white sedan and a pickup truck with a camper shell on the southbound side of U.S. 101 at the Santa Maria River Bridge Friday afternoon.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed the driver of the pickup and the white sedan have died.
As of Monday morning, authorities identified the driver of the white sedan as 71-year-old William Donald Cole from Nipomo. His wife, Paulette Cole, 70, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The collision happened just before 1 p.m. Friday when the driver of the pickup, 57-year-old William Dixon Jr. from Nebraska driving northbound, for unknown reasons, veered into the the southbound lanes of U.S. 101 in the area of Broadway, and plowed into the white sedan soon after.
Santa Maria Fire Department crews reported one person trapped inside a vehicle and another was extricated by CHP and fire crews.
CHP said the Coles, were taken to Marian Regional Medical Center with major injuries. William Cole died at the hospital from the injuries he sustained in the crash.
At least one of the cars caught on fire.
Highway 101 southbound was shut down for approximately one hour. Commuters found themselves with major traffic delays.
CHP diverted drivers at Highway 166 going eastbound to Bull Canyon then westbound on Donovan to U.S. 101.
The crash is under investigation.
31387962 Slideshow: Fatal Vehicle Crash at Santa Maria River Bridge