Three Car Crash Shuts Down 154
SANTA BARBARA, Ca. At 2:29 pm today (9/6/11) SB County Fire and CHP were called out to a multi-vehicle accident with fire, on the 154 in the area known as Windy Gap. Windy Gap is three miles up the 154 from Calle Real between san Antonio crk and painted cave.
The first arriving firefighters found three vehicles involved in the accident, two on fire with the fire preading to the surrounding vegetation. Firefighters and paramedics treated six patients, two from each vehicle. Two people sustained moderate injuries and were transported to Cottage hospital via AMR ambulance. The four remaining people had minor injuries.
THe CHP reported that the three vehicle collision blocked the 154 in both directions. A CHP preliminary investigation revealed that Ann Jackson of Santa Barbara was driving her Dodge Ram pickup truck westbound on SR-154 (toward Solvang) along with 54 year old Ted Greganti as a passenger, and also from Santa Barbara. 63 year old Richard Reyes of Saugus, CA was driving a silver BMW eastbound on SR-154 (toward Santa Barbara).
For unknown reasons, Jackson lost control as he negotiated a sweeping right curve in the road. The Dodge slid sideways around the curve into the eastbound lane. The BMW struck the Dodge, which sent the BMW off into a ditch on the right shoulder. The Dodge rolled onto its passenger side as it came to rest straddling both lanes. The Jeep was unable to stop and collided with the Dodge. The collision resulted in all three vehicles being engulfed in flames. All of the drivers and passengers escaped the fire.
A vegetation fire ensued, albeit in a steep, rocky terrain and was contained to ¼ acre. Helicopter 308 made one water drop on the fire to prevent the fire from spreading uphill.
Both directions of the SR-154 were closed and traffic is diverted via the US-101 until 5 pm. Crews worked quickly to get the lanes open as soon as possible.
Three people were transported by American Medial Response to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for minor to moderate injuries. Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to assist with the vehicle fire and containment of a brush fire that occurred on the hillside as a result of the collision.
SB County Fire responded with four engines, a helicopter and a battalion chief to the scene. SB County Fire was assisted by three US Forest Service engines, the California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Sheriff, and two American Medical Response ambulances.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the CHP.
