A minor-injury traffic collision involving an elderly couple occurred Tuesday afternoon on State Route 154 east of San Marcos Road, CHP officials said.
At about 1:24 p.m. a Ford sedan, driven by a 79-year-old man from Woodland Hills, was eastbound on the 154 east of the San Marcos Road when the car veered to the right, struck a drainage culvert, and became disabled within the dirt shoulder. The vehicle’s engine compartment then caught on fire, CHP spokesman Officer Jonathan Gutierrez said in a news release.
Witnesses used fire extinguishers and assisted the couple out of the vehicle. They were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital by American Medical Response with minor injuries.
The California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service responded to the scene.
Eastbound State Route 154 was closed for approximately 30 minutes and traffic alternated using the westbound lane.
The Highway Patrol is investigating, Officer Gutierrez said. Drugs or alcohol are not suspected as contributing factors.
