A Castaic man was injured and a Santa Barbara woman was killed in a fatal collision on the 126 freeway near Piru Wednesday evening.

The CHP Moorpark office received reports of a traffic collision shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 24, near Camulos Ranch.

Investigators trying to find a cause for the fatal crash said Thursday that Castaic resident Kenneth Lee Coombes, 29, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound within the #1 lane of the 126, at the same time as Louis Lave, a 45-years-old Lancaster resident was driving a Chevrolet truck ahead of the Silverado within the #1 lane.

In the westbound lanes, Anthony Romasanta was driving a Toyota Camry within the #1 lane with one occupant in the right front seat.  

Officials said Coombes collided with the back of Lave’s truck, sending it across the center divider to collide head-on with the Camry driven by Romasanta.

Coombes suffered “major injuries” to his lower extremities, according to CHP officials, and was transported to a local hospital. Lave was treated and released at the scene.

Romasanta was also severely injured, and was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. The passenger suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and died at the scene.

The 126 was partially closed for approximately three hours and was restricted to one eastbound and one westbound lane until approximately  8:10 p.m.

There is no indication at this time that alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this collision.  This collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol’s Moorpark Area office.  Any witnesses are encouraged to contact the CHP’s Moorpark Area office at (805) 553-0800.  

The identity of the 57-year-old woman killed was not released pending notification of her next of kin.

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