A Santa Paula man was tragically killed in a DUI collision on Highway 101 in Santa Barbara over the weekend. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the scene at around 3:10 a.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
The VC Star reports the impact occurred near the Olive Mill Road exit in the southbound lanes. The CHP says that a Toyota Camry and a Mercury Mountaineer SUV were traveling in the same lane when the Camry struck the SUV. The Mercury was sent off the road and into an embankment.
A passenger in the SUV was killed in the crash. He was identified as a 77-year-old man from Santa Paula. The driver of the Mercury, a 66-year-old man, suffered what were thought to be moderate injuries.
Two people in the Toyota suffered minor injuries and another passenger wasn’t hurt. The Toyota’s driver was arrested on charges of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. The suspect was identified as a 22-year-old man from Port Hueneme.
DUI Accident Dangers in Santa Barbara
In 2022, transportation officials tracked 67 alcohol-involved accidents that resulted in injury in Santa Barbara. Across all of Santa Barbara County, there were 279 alcohol-involved accidents involving injuries. Those accidents led to at least 9 tragic deaths in 2022.
Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol make it onto Santa Barbara roads far too often. It’s one of the driving hazards that can be easily eliminated if drivers plan ahead when they know they’ll be getting intoxicated. Their friends and families and even the restaurants that provide alcohol must also step in to keep more drunk drivers off the road.
A word for victims and families who have been involved in a Santa Barbara car accident…
If you or somebody you love has fallen victim to a car accident in Santa Barbara or anywhere along the Central Coast you should know your legal options moving forward. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to offer you much less than you need in support. A local attorney can make sure victims and their families receive full support for what they’ve been through.
You can read more about earning insurance support on my page about car accident claims in Santa Barbara County and the surrounding area.