Edhat Staff
(Photos: Mike Eliason / SBCFD)
Update by California Highway Patrol
On October 3, 2018, at approximately 11:03 am, a major injury traffic collision occurred on SR-154 westbound east of the Whitaker’s Curve. A Ford F150 pickup truck, driven by a 50 year old man from San Luis Obispo, was traveling westbound on SR-154 east of Whitaker’s Curve. The Ford left the roadway, and went down an embankment as the roadway curved to the left.
The California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and American Medical Response, responded to the collision scene. The driver of the Ford was extricated from the vehicle by Fire Department personnel and transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with major injuries.
The circumstances of the collision are currently under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. SR-154 westbound lane remained open during this investigation while the merge lane was closed for approximately one hour.
By edhat staff
A man has suffered life-threatening critical injuries in a solo vehicle rollover on Highway 154 Wednesday morning.
At 11:07 a.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to vehicle rollover accident on Highway 154 near the Windy Gap area. When crews arrived they were unable to locate the accident. They continued to search when a secondary engine found the accident just three miles from Highway 101 off the westbound lanes, said Santa Barbara County Fire Department Public Information Officer Mike Eliason.
Crews discovered a full-sized Ford F150 truck had gone down 25 feet into a culvert and was facing the opposite direction. The solo occupant of the vehicle, a male estimated to be in his 40’s, required extensive extrication from the vehicle which took approximately 25 minutes to be brought up to the roadway, said Eliason.
VehicleAccident w extensive extrication- CA-154 approx. 3 miles from US-101. Ford F-150 w male driver 20’ over the side. Transport to SB Cottage w critical injuries via AMR. SB Area CHP Investigating **Call Newsline** pic.twitter.com/vZ83CESUtI
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) October 3, 2018
The driver was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital will critical and life-threatening injuries.
California Highway Patrol is investigating this incident and the Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, and the Los Padres Fire Department all assisted on scene.
Motorists are reminded to stay on the scene if they witness an accident or collision to help emergency personnel locate the vehicles, said Eliason. He also reminds motorists to check their wipers, tire tread, and headlights before driving in the rain, and to slow down.
There have been numerous vehicle collisions on the roadways today, especially Highway 154, and people need to drive slower in the rain, said Eliason.
