One person died and three others were injured early Friday morning in a vehicle crash near the main entrance to Vandenberg Space Force Base, but officials released few details.
Emergency crews responded just before 1 a.m. Friday to the intersection of Highway 1 and California Boulevard, the main road through Vandenberg.
Late Friday, Vandenberg officials confirmed that one person had died in the single-vehicle crash.
“This is still under investigation, and the base is in coordination with multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Jennifer Green-Lanchoney, public affairs chief for Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg.
“We are still gathering information, but the incident did involve four individuals in one vehicle. One has been confirmed deceased.”
Additional details, including ages, hometowns and conditions of the three survivors, connection to Vandenberg and other information, were not available Friday night.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that its only role involved the Coroner’s Bureau, which handles next of kin notification plus, if required, an autopsy.
That notification had not occurred Friday afternoon, a Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said.
California Highway Patrol officers based in Buellton typically handle crash investigations for incidents along the off-base roads in that area, but an officer on Friday said they weren’t leading the investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation did not respond to a request about whether it’s spearheading the case. However, the FBI typically doesn’t investigate routine crashes unless there’s another motive suspected.
In an early morning social media post, those entering the base were urged to avoid the main entrance, also known as the Santa Maria Gate, without explanation. The message apparently was connected to the fatal crash investigation.
“The outbound lane for Santa Maria gate will be closed until further notice,” base officials said on social media.
Drivers were directed to use the Lompoc Gate, accessed off Santa Lucia Canyon Road, with the entrance opened at 4:30 a.m.
A third entrance, the 13th Street or Solvang Gate, also is available off West Highway 246 (West Ocean Avenue).
The main gate traffic flow reportedly returned to normal later Friday.