CHP says DUI caused early morning roll over

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

California Highway Patrol officials said an intoxicated 19-year-old woman from Santa Monica failed to negotiate a left curve on Highway 101 just north of South Padaro Lane, ran off the right side of the roadway, struck several objects and flipped the vehicle.
Don Clotworthy, a spokesman for the CHP, said the woman, who was identified as Emma Lee Ross of Santa Monica, sustained minor injures and was able to exit the wrecked SAAB after the accident.


Clotworthy said Ross was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and that during the investigation, it was determined that Ross was under the influence of alcohol.
The accident, which took place just before 1 a.m. yesterday, comes on the heels of a tragic drunk driving incident that occurred in mid October when a car being driven by an intoxicated man plunged off a Highway 101 overpass in Montecito and was hit by a vehicle carrying a family of five.
In that incident, the car, a Camaro, was being driven by Beau James Robertson, 29, of Palo Alto. Clotworthy said at that time that Robertson lost control of the Camaro, crossed over into the opposing lane and struck the east curb of the San Ysidro overpass near the center of the bridge and fell onto the highway.
Robertson’s passengers, two females, one of which was 21-years-old and the other 23, were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead when authorities arrived on the scene. Robertson sustained life threatening head injuries.
Clotworthy noted how lucky it was that noon was seriously injured in the most recent incident, but emphasized that this sort of behavior is unacceptable and law enforcement agencies are doing all they can to combat it.
“This kind of behavior is unacceptable,” Clotworthy said. “And if it continues the chances are very likely that we are going to have another person killed and possibly an innocent person killed.”
Clotworthy said Ross was arrested at the hospital for misdemeanor DUI.
“This is just another reminder of what all motorists face out there when they’re driving,” he said. “This shouldn’t happen but unfortunately does happen.”
Clotworthy said efforts are made at all levels to discourage such behavior, but he said the decision to not step behind the wheel after drinking, or get in a car with someone who has, needs to be made well in advance of drinking.
In order to assist with that preparation, Clotworthy said all law enforcement agencies have educational outreach programs to try and discourage people from driving drunk.
He said any interruption to traffic on the highway was minimal and that railroad traffic was delayed for about one hour to remove the SAAB, which came to rest near the railroad tracks.
Clotworthy said no other vehicles were involved and that Ross was wearing her seat belt.