One person seriously injured after vehicle accident with fire in Templeton

TEMPLETON, Calif. - CAL FIRE SLO, San Luis Obispo County Fire, Templeton Fire, SLO County Sheriff's Deputies and California Highway Patrol all responded to a single-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 46 and Hidden Valley Road Saturday morning.

The incident occurred around 9:29 a.m. on Highway 46 in Templeton.

Julie Ellen Walton, 61, was driving her 2019 Buik Encore eastbound on Highway 46 towards Hidden Valley Road. CHP estimated she was driving at about 55 miles per hour.

According to Walton, she was texting on her cellphone when her vehicle drifted onto the right shoulder of the road. The vehicle then continued off the road and collided with an oak tree.

After the car crashed, it caught on fire. The tree caught on fire shortly after.

Fortunately, Walton was able to extricate herself from the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the car's flames. Walton was then transported to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center with major injuries. We do not yet know her current condition.

As a result of the incident, Highway 46 was temporarily closed near Hidden Valley Road. The highway has since reopened.

CHP is still investigating the crash.