ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER
A woman drove into a crosswalk at State and Carrillo streets and hit a family of three just after 5 p.m. today, seriously injuring two of them.
"I heard a bang and then 'oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,'" one witness said.
Police arrived to find a 14-year-old boy, an 18-year-old boy and their 54-year-old mother sprawled across the crosswalk on the northern side of the intersection. Sgt. Mike McGrew, the first officer on the scene, said only the 18-year-old was conscious.
"There were three bodies in the road," Sgt. McGrew said. "They were all in serious condition."
City Fire Battalion Chief Chris Blair said two were in critical condition at the scene and the other received a minor laceration to his leg. All three victims were quickly placed on backboards with neck braces and taken to Cottage Hospital. Hospital officials declined to release any additional information.
Police could not say whether the driver, a 65-year-old woman in a Kia Optima, had been turning from State Street onto Carrillo Street or drove straight through the intersection.
However, a witness named Sam Price said he had entered the crosswalk before the family and the accident occurred right behind him. Price said he is "positive" she came northbound across the intersection, estimating her speed at 35 miles per hour.
"I heard a bang and turned around and I saw a dude lying on the ground with blood all over his head," Price said, describing how the older boy had stood up and hobbled over to his younger brother. "It all happened so quickly."
Price said he had seen the signal to cross before he stepped into the street. Two seconds later he heard the collision.
"I think probably the lady wasn't paying attention or leaned down to get something and just ran the red light," Price said.
Several witnesses said the driver got out of her car and was hysterical, screaming "I'm so sorry, I don't know what to do."
Paramedics, fire crews and police officers had the area cleared by 5:30 p.m., but caution tape circled the entire intersection and traffic was being diverted a block away in every direction.
Only a small pool of blood in the crosswalk and the Optima, the left side of its windshield crushed inward, remained behind as evidence of the tragic event.
"I'm pretty shaken up by this," said Colt Moore, of Thousand Oaks, his hands trembling as he stood at the scene a few minutes after the accident occurred. "I just came up here to enjoy the day and then this happened."
Police interviewed more than 10 eyewitnesses and took the driver away in a squad car. Sgt. McGrew said she was not under arrest, adding that he could not comment on whether charges will be pressed until the investigation is complete. Alcohol or drugs are not being considered a factor, Sgt. McGrew added.
As officers roved through the intersection and awaited the arrival of a forensic team, a man lifted the caution tape and entered the intersection pushing a bicycle. After police pushed him back out of the scene, he became resistant and officers Tasered and handcuffed him. Sgt. McGrew said he will be booked for entering a crime scene and resisting arrest.
For the Record: An earlier version of this article stated the ages of the victims as 15, 18 and 53. Those ages have been updated following more precise information from the police.
9 comments:
This is so sad. I'm reeling from just reading this story. Will this tragedy help the city to see that State Street should be closed to vehicles? There are just way too many people downtown now to risk it. Close State Street to cars!!!
I am convinced that Santa Barbara has the worst drivers in the world. When I first moved here a couple of years ago, I was initially surprised by how often I was almost hit by people running red lights and stop signs... now I just just assume it's part of what makes everyone think Santa Barbara is so perfect and special. It's not like most people are aggressively running reds, they are just driving around with their heads up their derrieres completely clueless as to the pedestrians with baby strollers they send scrambling to the curb.
yes, make State St. like the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica, a magnet for shoppers and dinners, a pedestrian hub, close it to cars!!
it was great when it was closed to traffic during renovations last summer - you get more preople out strolling and talking to neighbors; it fosters a communtiy (and people spend their money in the shops!).
State Street needs to be closed.
It serves no real purpose. No one(local) uses it to get anywhere, you can't park on it like in the old days, delivery drivers try to avoid it. Kids cruising and lazy tourists clog it up creating toxic fumes and noise, producing a lovely ambiance that makes Santa Barbara such a nice place to live.
Santa Barbara has way too many beautiful women to look at, rather than concentrate on stupid things like traffic lights and stop signs!
This is not a problem isolated to State Street. I am a jogger and have noticed that on the average about twice during an hour run, I have two near misses with cars that violate red lights/stop signs and pedestrian walkways in Santa Barbara. There must be higher enforcement so that more tragedies don't occur. The area around LaColina Junior High is particularly bad...it's not if something happens, but just a matter of time until children are killed around there.
Any update on how this family is doing? My brother was 4 seconds behind them in the crosswalk when they were hit. I am so greatful he is ok but so concerned for the family. Any news?
Hey, are you getting the idea that cars are potentially deadly weapons that need to be driven with care & attention???
Make State St. a walking promenade!
There are witnesses who state that the victims had the right-of-way. Therefore, the only fault for this accident seems to be that of the driver's. She should be convicted for this no matter what her excuse is.
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