Gaviota, CA (April 11, 2024) Four people were injured in a two-vehicle collision caused by a DUI driver, early Thursday morning, April 11th. It was just after 1:00 a.m. when the vehicles collided on Highway 101 near the community of Gaviota, in Santa Barbara County.
It was the middle of the night, causing Highway 101 to be quieter than usual. Near Gaviota, about a mile and a half south of Mariposa Reina, two vehicles collided in the southbound lanes of Highway 101. Santa Barbara County Fire Department Captain Scott Safechuck said that both vehicles sustained major front-end damage from the impact.
The night sky along Highway 101 was filled with flashing lights as the California Highway Patrol and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department hurried to the scene. Sirens grew louder as the emergency vehicles approached the scene. Capt. Safechuck said they arrived to find one of the vehicles in the center median of the highway and the other vehicle blocking the left lane. The two vehicles were both badly damaged and debris, large and small, littered the highway.
Officer Jonathan Gutierrez with the California Highway Patrol told news sources that they are unsure as to what caused this collision. He did say that they determined that one of the drivers had been under the influence at the time of the collision and they placed him under arrest at the scene.
Paramedics arrived at the scene and found four victims with serious injuries. They called for two AMR ambulances and all four victims were rushed to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
The scene was investigated and officers gathered evidence and are determined to figure out what caused this accident and who was at fault. The left lane of the highway remained closed for hours during the investigation and as crews cleared the debris and glass from the roadway. Tow trucks were called to the scene to remove both of the damaged vehicles.
Everyone at Accident News Now wishes full and quick recoveries to the four people injured in this collision on Highway 101. Car accidents can cause more than just injuries. They can also cause stress from medical bills, missing work and even healing. Our team is here to help guide you through this difficult time.
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