A 19-year-old woman from Lancaster was killed and a man was rescued after a vehicle plunged off Highway 166 east of Santa Maria on Friday morning. 

Personnel from multiple agencies, including the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Los Padres National Forest, CalFire, and California Highway Patrol, responded shortly after 8 a.m. to the incident east of Rock Front Ranch.

The crash scene is midway between Highway 101 and the Cuyama Valley.

Callers initially reported a vehicle with two occupants went off a bridge and ended up 300 feet over the side of the roadway. However, CHP officers later clarified the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado went off the road, through a guardrail and down an embankment.

Helicopters from CalStar and the Santa Barbara County’s Air Support Unit also were dispatched.

Emergency crews were discussing whether to hoist at least one person from the crashed vehicle into the helicopter.

Before arriving, pilots were warned to be aware of power lines in the area. 

One person, a 21-year-old man with critical injuries, was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, according to a county fire Engineer Mike Gray.

A 19-year-old woman, the vehicle’s driver, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name will be released once family members have been notified of her death.

Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue volunteers also responded to the incident.

Highway 166 was closed in both directions for a time Friday morning due the crash and emergency vehicles at the scene which was determined to be in Santa Barbara County’s jurisdiction.

CHP officers from the Santa Maria area office will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Additional information was not immediately available.