Young Driver Identified in Fatal Vandenberg Village Crash
Authorities have confirmed that 19-year-old Asher Linden Tenud was the victim of a fatal two-vehicle collision in Vandenberg Village on Tuesday morning. The tragic incident unfolded at approximately 10 a.m., just south of Constellation Road, casting a somber shadow over the community during the holiday season.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Tenud was driving a green 1998 Jaguar XJR northbound when he lost control navigating a curve. The vehicle veered across the gravel median and collided head-on with a gray 2007 Honda Odyssey traveling in the same direction. Tenud, originally from Portland, Oregon, and residing in Santa Maria, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Honda Odyssey sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the injured driver or updated their condition as of Thursday afternoon.
The crash has brought renewed attention to safety concerns along Highway 1 near Constellation Road. CHP data reveals that traffic accidents in the area have more than doubled in 2024, with 33 incidents reported, compared to 16 in 2023 and 10 in 2022. Notably, 25 of this year’s accidents occurred during wet or rainy conditions, highlighting the challenges drivers face on slick roadways.
