A van and a big-rig truck collided head-on on Highway 166 west of New Cuyama.
The Dodge van crossed the double yellow lines in an attempt to pass another westbound vehicle. He attempted to do so on a curve directly in the path of the big-rig truck that was traveling eastbound. The big-rig was unable to avoid a collision and both vehicles hit head-on causing the big-rig to overturn with his trailers blocking the lane of travel.
The driver of a van, a 27-year-old male, was killed in the collision, and his body had to be extracted from the wreckage, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. His cause of death was blunt force trauma.
The 57-year-old driver of the gravel truck suffered minor injuries and will be taken to Marian Hospital in Santa Maria.
The crash was reported on Tuesday, October 25, around 6:30 a.m. just west of Tepusquet Canyon.
Highway 166 was completely blocked by the wreckage and a spilled load of gravel.
There is no indication of drugs or alcohol being a factor at this time.
