Sheriff’s office releases names of man and woman killed in crash south of Buellton

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the man and woman who were killed in Thursday’s crash on US 101 on Nojoqui Grade, just south of Buellton.

48-year-old Aura Orfelinda Guerrero of Porterville and 74-year-old Richard Jon Larson of Buellton were both killed in the collision.

Guerrero was driving a Honda Element southbound on US 101 when the vehicle lost control and crashed into the center divider and into oncoming traffic. Larson was the passenger in a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling northbound that then collided with Guerrero’s vehicle.

Both Guerrerro and Larson died on impact.

The driver of the Grand Cherokee was seriously injured and was flown to a Santa Barbara hospital by emergency medical helicopter. She required extensive extrication to remove her from the vehicle. Her condition is unclear at this time.

A dog riding in Larson’s vehicle was also killed.