The last two days brought a series of vehicle collisions in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara that cost three people their lives, including that of an 11-year-old girl. The most recent occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, September 30, on Highway 154 near Rancho Alegre Road in the Santa Ynez Valley. An as-yet unidentified solo driver plummeted 50 feet off the highway, whereupon the vehicle caught fire. The minor fire spread to the dry brush surrounding the vehicle, engulfing an approximately 50-foot area. Firefighters swiftly contained and put out the fire by 9:54 p.m. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, and Highway 154 was closed for an extended period of time.