7 vehicles crash at Turnpike offramp for southbound US 101 freeway in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Seven vehicles crashed at the Turnpike Road offramp for the US 101 freeway Friday evening.

The incident occurred around 5:19 p.m.

Santa Barbara County Fire and California Highway Patrol officers responded to the crash.

SBC Fire said two people have been transported to the hospital, one person is in critical condition and the other sustained moderate injuries.

Two of the cars required extrication in order to get patients out.

The southbound offramp at Turnpike for the 101 freeway has been closed while emergency personnel respond to the crash. Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies are redirecting traffic. At this time, only one lane is open to traffic on the southbound freeway, drivers can expect delays.

Fire crews will remain on the scene to help cleanup.

According to CHP, the driver of a Ford Mustang GT was traveling southbound on the 101 freeway in the #1 lane which is the fast lane. As he approached the Turnpike offramp, the driver reportedly turned across all lanes of traffic and exited the freeway on the offramp. However, CHP said he was traveling too fast causing him to collide with multiple vehicles that were on the offramp already.

This is a developing story. We will update as more information becomes available.