An Orcutt man has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal daytime crash last year in the Santa Maria Valley. 

The collision occurred just before noon on Sept. 23 when a 2020 Nissan Altima driven by Jordan Gutierrez, now 27, was northbound on Highway 135, near the intersection of Foster Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

A 2015 Honda Civic driven by a 79-year-old 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. 

Sharlene Marie Plunkett, 79, of Santa Maria suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. 

This week, Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch announced that a felony complaint has been filed against Gutierrez, charging him with one count of murder related to the death of Plunkett.

An arrest warrant was issued Monday, and Gutierrez was taken into custody on Tuesday.

The defendant is scheduled for further arraignment on the complaint in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria on Thursday morning after Wednesday’s hearing was continued.

Gutierrez is being held in the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $1 million.