Wrong-Way Driver Crash Highway 101, Bath Street in Santa Barbara

3 Injured in Christmas Day Crash on Highway 101

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2023) — A wrong-way driver crash on Highway 101 in Santa Barbara happened Christmas night, leaving three people injured and one person facing DUI charges.

The traffic accident occurred at around 11 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25th on the northbound side of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara, according to a report by Noozhawk.

The drivers of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck and a minivan were involved in the collision, just past the Bath Street off ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Santa Barbara City Fire Department responded to help those injured.

Teodulo Navaclemente, 38, of Santa Barbara, was driving the pickup truck and traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when he reportedly crashed head-on into the minivan, police said.

Carlos Gutierrez Ramirez, 49, of Oxnard, was driving the minivan and was among the three people hurt in the crash.

The pickup truck driver became trapped in his vehicle after it overturned onto its side. Teodulo Navaclemente was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving, police said.

There were a total of three people hurt including two with major injuries and a third person had moderate injuries, fire officials said.

Paramedics rushed all three people by AMR ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The California Highway Patrol is heading up the traffic investigation.

Johnson Attorneys Group hopes this news information is timely and helpful, but our law firm does not represent any of the parties mentioned above . Additionally, if you would like to contribute any information, add a GoFundMe page or have legal questions, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).