Two people were killed early Sunday in a head-on collision west of Buellton that investigators believe may have been caused by a drunken driver, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Highway 246 west of Domingos Road, the CHP said.

A westbound Honda driven by a 39-year-old Solvang man crossed over the center line and slammed into an eastbound Toyota driven by a 79-year-old Lompoc woman, the CHP said.

Both drivers were declared dead at the scene, and their names were being withheld pending notification of relatives.

Highway 246 was closed in both directions for nearly four hours after the crash.

“Alcohol and/or drugs are suspected to be a factor in this collision,” the CHP said.

One vehicle ended up off the roadway, and extensive extrication was required to remove the victims’ remains from the mangled wreckage, according to Capt. Daniel Bertucelli of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The crash remained under investigation by the CHP, which was awaiting toxicology tests on the drivers. 

— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.