A 39-year-old Ventura man was killed and a Santa Barbara resident was critically injured early Thursday in a head-on vehicle crash on Highway 154 near Lake Cachuma, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. 

The collision was reported at about 3:55 a.m., and responding crews found two vehicles with heavy damage, fire Capt. Daniel Bertucelli said. 

Preliminary investigation indicated that a Toyota was westbound when the driver made an unsafe turning movement, crossed over into the eastbound lanes, and slammed into a Dodge, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Toyota’s driver was declared dead at the scene, while Ernest Gilbert, 34, of Santa Barbara was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with major injuries after being extricated from the wreckage of the Dodge, the CHP said.

Details on Gilbert’s condition were not available. 

A Calstar medical helicopter was requested, but could not respond due to weather conditions, Bertucelli added, and Gilbert was transported by American Medical Response ambulance.

The name of the person who died was not released pending notification of relatives.

The roadway was closed in both directions after the crash, but reopened by 6:30 a.m., according to Caltrans District 5 spokesman Jim Shivers. 

The CHP said it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, which remained under investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Keith Rogers in the Buellton CHP office at 805.688.5551.

— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.