UPDATE (4:35 p.m.) - Highway 166 is back open in both directions.
CAL FIRE SLO say four people were injured. Two were airlifted with major injuries to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara and two people sustained minor injuries.
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UPDATE (4:22 p.m.) - Both directions on Highway 166 at Tepusquet Rd. are closed.
SigAlert: #Hwy166 each way at Tepusquet Rd is CLOSED by vehicle crash so use caution & other route from coast to valley. @CaltransDist6
— Caltrans District 5 (@CaltransD5) June 20, 2020
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UPDATE (3:55 p.m.) - A hard closure is in place for eastbound lanes at Highway 166 and S. Thompson in Santa Maria, according to CHP.
Crews are also working to close westbound lanes at 166 and Tepusquet Rd.
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ORIGINAL STORY (3:35 p.m.) - Emergency crews are en route to a reported vehicle over the side of Highway 166 near Santa Maria.
According to CAL FIRE SLO, a passenger vehicle went over the side of the highway about two miles west of Tepusquet Rd. around 2:45 p.m.
About four people need extrication, according to officials.
TepusquetIC (INITIAL) @CALFIRE_SLO Medic Engine 20 and @SBCOUNTYFIRE at scene of a passenger vehicle over the side of Hwy. 166 approx. 2 miles West of Tepusquet Road. @SMFDHQ and @LosPadresNF assisting. 4 patients reported extrication required.
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) June 20, 2020
The CHP H-70 is en route.
Officers are working to put a hard closure for eastbound lanes at Highway 166 and S. Thompson, according to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page.
The Santa Maria Fire Department and the Los Padres National Forest are assisting.
This is a developing story, check back later for details.
