Wrong-way Driver Fatal Crash on Highway 101 Near Goleta
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (August 25, 2021) — Three people were killed early Wednesday when a wrong-way driver crashed into another motorist on the southbound Highway 101, just north of Dos Pueblos Canyon Road.
UPDATE: The Coroner’s Bureau identified the occupants of the SUV as Daniel Garcia, 25, and Eryka Lopez, 23, both of Santa Maria. The driver in the Volkswagen was Natalia Stallworth, 28, of Santa Barbara.
The fiery crash happened about 2:19 a.m. on August 25th in the western Goleta Valley and Gaviota Coast, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Both vehicles, a silver Volkswagen Jetta and a white Ford Expedition SUV, became “fully engulfed” in flames. A witness told 911 operators that the Jetta crossed over into opposing traffic and crashed into the SUV. The Jetta’s driver was part of a high speed pursuit earlier, according to Noozhawk.
Meanwhile, a second deadly collision happened about the same time on the northbound Highway 101 near Winchester Canyon Road around 2:15 a.m.
There are no further details about the second crash. Police closed down the northbound Highway 101 at Dos Pueblos Canyon Road for hours to investigate the collisions. The lanes reopened about 7:45 a.m. and investigators with the CHP continue to work on the case.
There is a GoFundMe page to support the families of Daniel Garcia and Eryka Lopez.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above; nor is it our intent to represent any of the parties. If you would like to contribute to this story or you have legal questions about a potential case, please contact us.
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