Six injured after vehicle goes over cliff by Highway 166 east of Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA VALLEY, Calif. - A vehicle drove off Highway 166 and over the side of a cliff between Santa Maria and New Cuyama on Saturday, leaving six injured.

Santa Barbara County Fire received the call around 2:15 p.m. and responded to a portion of the 166 about 20 miles out from Highway 101. CAL FIRE, Santa Maria Fire and Los Padres National Forest personnel also responded along with a CalStar helicopter.

County Fire said a passenger van was found about 50 feet down in the riverbed. A total of six people were injured, two sustained serious injuries, one had moderate injuries and three had minor injuries.

One seriously injured victim was transported to Cottage Hospital by CalStar copter while the other was taken in a ground ambulance. The rest of the victims were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center.

California Highway Patrol reported the vehicle went down near Gifford Rancho Road.

The car was allegedly traveling westbound and tried to pass another vehicle on the highway when the driver somehow drove off the eastbound side of the road.

CHP is investigating the cause of the crash.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.