UPDATE (3:40 p.m. Wednesday): Officials have released additional details regarding a fatal Highway 101 crash early Tuesday morning.
At 2:46 a.m., the California Highway Patrol reports that an officer was patrolling southbound Highway 101 just north of SR-166 when they attempted to make contact with a gray Toyota Tacoma stopped on the right shoulder.
As officers approached the vehicle, authorities say the driver sped away going southbound at 100 mph.
The Toyota Tacoma was reportedly straddling the two lanes of the highway and nearly collided with another vehicle.
Less than two minutes later, CHP says the driver failed to negotiate the SR-166 off-ramp, causing the vehicle to roll several times and land on Hutton Road.
Officers immediately discovered that the solo driver, who they identified as a 25-year-old male, was ejected onto the right shoulder.
The driver sustained major injuries and was taken to Marion Regional Medical Center where he later died, according to CHP.
Officials report that several items suspected to be stolen were found on the road and in the Toyota Tacoma.
If you have been a victim of theft in the past week, CHP advises you to contact the agency's property and evidence unit to describe the stolen property and retrieve it.
The investigation is reportedly ongoing.
Community members with information about the accident are advised to call the San Luis Obispo Area CHP Office at (805) 594-8700.
Information regarding thefts can be directed to the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office.
For information regarding the driver, locals can refer to the Coroner.
UPDATE (3:58 p.m.): A driver died in a crash on Highway 101 early Tuesday morning.
Officers say the vehicle went through a fence before landing on Hutton Road, ejecting the 25-year-old driver.
He was taken to the hospital where officers say he died.
His name has not yet been released.
As of 4:30 a.m., CHP alerted drivers to major delays along the southbound lanes of the highway just north of Highway 166.
By 11 a.m., traffic was moving along the highway but the offramp to Highway 166 and Hutton Road remained closed due to the crash investigation.
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ORIGINAL STORY (5:45 a.m.): A hard lane closure has been issued on Hutton Road between Highway 101 and Cuyama Lane outside Santa Maria.
According to CHP, the second lane has been closed to investigate a traffic incident that took place on Highway 101 southbound just north of State Route 166.
No details about the incident have been released. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
