Two people were killed and another was critically injured Thursday afternoon in a 2-vehicle accident on Highway 101 north of Gaviota.
The crash occurred at about 12:20 p.m. in the northbound lanes, north of the tunnel, at the bottom of the Nojoqui Grade, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A Honda Element driven by a 48-year-old Porterville woman was southbound coming down the grade when it began to hydroplane on water on the roadway, according to Mike Eliason, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The Honda crossed over into the northbound lanes, where it was struck broadside by a Jeep Cherokee.
The driver of the Element was killed, as was a male passenger in the Cherokee, a 75-year-old Buellton man, the CHP said.
Their names were not released pending notification of relatives.
The female driver of the Cherokee — a 65-year-old Buellton woman — suffered major injuries, the CHP said, and was airlifted by Calstar helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Her name and details on her condition were not available.
A small dog that was in the Cherokee also died in the crash, Eliason said.
Traffic was reported stopped in both directions for a time after the collision, but at least one lane was later reopened.
Personnel from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau were dispatched to the scene.
The crash was under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Check back with Noozhawk for updates to this story.
— 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.
