SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, that the driver of a pickup truck killed in the January 5 collision on Highway 101 has been identified as 25-year-old Thomas McGregor, a resident of Santa Barbara, according to KSBY.
The collision, which occurred just before 3 AM, involved a pickup truck and a semi-truck. Emergency responders, including firefighters, arrived at the scene to find the pickup truck engulfed in flames and situated in the median.
Despite the swift response, Thomas McGregor was pronounced dead on the scene. Meanwhile, the driver of the semi-truck sustained minor injuries but opted not to be transported to a hospital.
The aftermath of the crash led to significant disruptions, with the highway being closed for hours and causing heavy traffic on Highway 154.
As of now, the cause of the crash remains undisclosed, leaving authorities and the community awaiting further details.
Families who lose their loved ones in fatal car accidents may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. The compensation provided by a wrongful death claim can go toward alleviating the financial burdens of hospital bills, burial costs, and the loss of support toward dependents of the deceased.
However, insurance companies will always look for ways to minimize or deny a potential payout. That is why the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can prove crucial in making sure that families of the deceased receive their just due.