Motorcycle collision closes Castillo Street

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

A collision on Castillo Street below Highway 101 sent a motorcyclist to the hospital with serious injuries and closed down the underpass for nearly four hours Wednesday morning.

Authorities said a 33-year-old man in a Ford Escort turned left toward the Highway 101 south onramp at 7:56 a.m. when a 27-year-old man on a Ducati motorcycle heading north on Castillo Street collided with the passenger side door and window.
Emergency crews took the motorcyclist to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with neck and arm injuries, Sgt. Todd Stoney said. Police brought in a collision reconstruction team to analyze the scene, shutting down the underpass and highway ramps to traffic until just before noon.
Authorities said the driver of the Escort did not have a valid driver’s license. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, it’s unclear if he will be charged or cited. The cause of the accident remains under investigation as well.
The condition of the motorcyclist was not available, although fire officials confirmed the man suffered a major laceration to his right shoulder. City fire spokesman John Ahlman said the motorcyclist was in pain but conscious at the scene.
Sgt. Stoney said both men involved in the collision are local residents.