UPDATE (6:13 p.m.) – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two people killed in Thursday morning’s crash as Rickie Motley, 60, of Orcutt and Jesse Donald Gluyas, 24, of Solvang.
UPDATE (2:50 p.m.) – Caltrans reports that Highway 135 has reopened following the Thursday morning crash.
UPDATE (12:30 p.m.) – The California Highway Patrol has identified the driver of a semi-truck arrested on suspicion of DUI in connection with Thursday morning’s deadly crash on Highway 135 in Orcutt as Gilbert Pena, 56, of Santa Maria.
Officers say Pena was heading southbound on Highway 135 north of Union Valley Parkway shortly before 6:30 a.m. when he crashed into the back of a 2009 Nissan. Two males in that vehicle from Santa Maria died at the scene, according to CHP.
A total of six vehicles were involved. Eight other people complained of minor injuries but were not taken to the hospital, officials said. All were reportedly from the Santa Maria area.
CHP said Pena suffered minor injuries in the crash.
Pena was a truck driver for Sysco. The company told KSBY, “We are cooperating fully with the local authority’s investigation into this incident. Our sincere sympathies are with those individuals and their families involved in and affected by the accident.”
UPDATE (9:30 a.m.) – The Santa Barbara County Fire Department says a total of six vehicles were involved in Thursday morning’s crash that killed two people at the intersection of Highway 135 and Union Valley Parkway in Orcutt.
The driver of the semi truck was arrested for DUI and taken to the hospital for treatment of moderate to minor injuries, officials said. Eight other people were complaining of minor injuries but fire officials say they were not taken to the hospital.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
UPDATE (8:40 a.m.) – CHP has arrested the driver of a big rig involved in a multiple-vehicle crash in Orcutt Thursday morning.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Two people died as a result of the crash. A total of seven vehicles were involved.
Here is a closer look at some of the wreckage. CHP says the driver of the big rig has been arrested for his involvement in this crash, drugs and alcohol are suspected to be a factor. Southbound 135 expected to be closed for hours as officers continue to investigate @KSBY pic.twitter.com/az8VjM1cYh
— Melissa Newman (@melnewmantv) February 7, 2019
The Orcutt Expressway remains closed. CHP says the highway will be shut down for several hours and asks drivers to take an alternate route.
Just arrived at this tragic scene off Hwy 135 – CHP is diverting southbound traffic at Foster Road as they investigate this fatal accident @KSBY pic.twitter.com/qQWPjeyBuC
— Melissa Newman (@melnewmantv) February 7, 2019
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ORIGINAL STORY: California Highway Patrol is investigating to a deadly semi-truck crash involving multiple vehicles in Orcutt on Highway 135 (Orcutt Expressway) near Union Valley Parkway.
According to the CHP incident page, a vehicle ran a red light, causing a seven-vehicle crash.
CHP says a semi-truck partially rolled over and is off the roadway.
Santa Barbara County Fire says two people have died and six to eight others were being treated by first responders.
California Highway Patrol has shut down southbound Highway 135 at Foster Rd. and will be re-routing traffic up Foster road to Bradley or Orcutt road.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area.
This is a developing story and will be updated when new information becomes available.
Mult-vehicle accident involving a semi and several cars. Hwy.135 and Bradley Rd. Orcutt. 2 Fatalities. Call Newsline for more info. pic.twitter.com/0iDvInf66I
— Dave Zaniboni (@SBCFireInfo) February 7, 2019
Fatal vehicle accident at Union Valley Parkway and 135. SB County FD and SMFD on scene. Please avoid the area
— Santa Maria Fire (@SMFDHQ) February 7, 2019
