A Santa Maria woman died and a man was critically injured in a head-on vehicle collision on Highway 135 in Orcutt midday Monday.

The California Highway Patrol reported the collision at Highway 135 and East Foster Road shortly before noon.  

Responding Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews extricated one of the drivers from their vehicle, which had heavy damage.

Both people had major injuries and were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center by American Medical Response ambulance, County Fire spokesperson Karen Cruz-Orduña said.

CHP officers said late Monday that a 2020 Nissan Altima, driven by Jordan Gutierrez, 26, of Santa Maria, was northbound on Highway 135, near the intersection of Foster Road. 

A 2015 Honda Civic, driver by a 79-year-old Santa Maria woman, was traveling south on Highway 135, north of Foster Road., in the right turn lane. 

For an unknown reason, Gutierrez’s vehicle drifted to the left and crossed into southbound lanes, the CHP said. The Nissan traversed the two lanes and struck the Honda head on. 

Gutierrez suffered major injuries and was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center. 

The Honda’s driver suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. 

Authorities will release her name after notification of family members.

CHP investigators are looking into the cause of the collision.

Highway lanes were briefly closed after the crash.