Three Cal Poly students were injured in a fatal head-on collision Saturday, April 6 at 12:30 p.m. One is in critical condition.
Art and design juniors Erica Kemp, Mariana Silverman and Keilani Waxdeck were traveling east on Highway 166 in Santa Maria when a 1992 Honda Accord with a driver and passenger rounded a blind curve and swerved left over a solid yellow line, directly in front of Kemp’s car, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Both the driver and passenger in the Honda Accord were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release. The male and female are from Caliente, Calif. and are currently unidentified.
Kemp, who was driving, and Silverman, who was in the backseat, were transported to Marian Medical Center for minor and major injuries, respectively. Waxdeck, a Mustang Media Group advertising designer, was the passenger in the front seat and was air lifted to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with major injuries, according to the release.
As of 2 p.m. on April 8, Waxdeck is in critical condition, according to Santa Barabara Cottage Health officials. They could not provide any further details.
University Spokesperson Matt Lazier told Mustang News the Dean of Student’s Office is in contact with the students and families of the students involved.
CHP is investigating whether the driver of the Honda Accord was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Highway 166 is often taken to view the superbloom at Carrizo Plains.
This story has been updated with more information about Waxdeck, one of the students injured in the crash.