Injured Motorists Helicoptered From Highway 166 Collision

Three people were injured in a traffic collision on Highway 166 Friday, two requiring a medical helicopter transport.

At 1:56 p.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the area of Highway 166 at Cottonwood Canyon.

Crews discovered two vehicles, a white minivan and a silver SUV, had collided head-on with three people injured.

Early reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicate the minivan was attempting to pass vehicles by illegally crossing over double yellow lines, prompting a head-on crash.

A male and a female sustained major injuries and required helicopter transport by Calstar 7 to Marian Regional Medical Center. Another female sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the same hospital by ground ambulance.

Both vehicles sustained major front-end damage. Highway 166 was closed in both directions and reopened around 3:45 p.m.

The incident is under investigation by the CHP.