A chain-reaction accident involving a motorcycle led to at least one death Saturday afternoon east of downtown Santa Barbara. KSBY-TV reports the accident occurred at the intersection of East Cota Street and Salsipuedes Street near Ortega Park.
Santa Barbara Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene just before 2 p.m. on November 27, 2021.
Investigators believe a motorcyclist was traveling south on Salsipuedes when a silver Jeep rear-ended it. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle and the motorcycle continued on to hit a parked car. The Jeep struck a silver pickup truck.
The motorcyclist, identified as an adult male, was tragically pronounced dead on the scene. There’s been no word on any other injuries resulting from the accident.
The driver of the Jeep, a 48-year-old man from Santa Barbara, was suspected of driving under the influence. He faces felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and felony DUI causing injury/death charges.
DUI Driver Dangers in Santa Barbara
Drivers who choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence of a drug or alcohol put Santa Barbara travelers at risk every day. Their judgment is impaired and they can often fail to make the corrections a normal motorist would make in the lane.
They may also miss spotting another vehicle, someone on a bicycle, or a pedestrian in a crosswalk. This impaired focus is especially dangerous for motorcyclists who may be traveling in front of or alongside a drunk motorist.
Under normal conditions, careless drivers can fail to spot the smaller profile of a motorcyclist and make a maneuver that endangers a rider they are unaware of. These mistakes are even more likely when a driver has impaired cognitive ability from drug or alcohol use.
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) recorded 220 accidents involving alcohol use in Santa Barbara County in 2020. 52 of those accidents occurred in Santa Barbara. In total, in the county, 11 people tragically lost their lives during the year and another 301 people suffered injuries.
These accidents are 100% preventable. It takes drivers and their friends and family to stay committed to keeping any impaired driver off the road and unable to put other motorists at risk.
A Word About Motorcycle Accidents in Santa Barbara…
Families who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident may not be aware that they are permitted to seek assistance through a wrongful death claim. This support could help with funeral and burial costs and replace the financial support the deceased can no longer provide for his or her family. You can read more about these claims on my page about wrongful death claims in California.