Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision
The sole occupant and driver of the Tacoma, Oscar Pereyra, allowed the truck to travel across the double yellow lines and into the #1 westbound lane, directly into the path of the Sonata. The vehicles collided within the #1 lane causing the Toyota to overturn onto its roof. Both vehicles came to rest blocking westbound lanes of traffic. The sole occupant and driver of the Sonata, a 31-year-old resident of Arroyo Grande, sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota, Oscar Pereyra, sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment. Mr. Pereyra was suspected of driving under the influence and was arrested for Felony DUI.
This collision is still under investigation. If anyone has any information regarding this collision, or the events leading up to it, please contact Officer Shannan Sams at the CHP Santa Barbara Area office at (805) 967-1234.
Update by edhat staff
Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to a fatal head-on traffic collision on Highway 154 Friday morning.
At 10:44 a.m., fire crews responded to the scene near E. Camino Cielo with a ground ambulance. Upon arrival, they found two vehicles on the roadway with extensive damage that appeared to collide head-on.
There were two patients, one was pronounced dead on the scene, and the other sustained critical injuries. Heavy extrication was required to retrieve the patient with critical injuries.
Highway 154 is temporarily closed at Cathedral Oaks and Paradise Road as CHP investigates the collision.
Additionally, another traffic collision took place around 10:00 a.m. Friday on Highway 154 near Painted Cave involving a motorcyclist. CHP reports minor injuries in this collision.
Motorcycle crash on Highway 154 just past Painted Cave.
41 Comments
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Jun 05, 2020 11:06 AMHead-on collision 154 at East Camino Cielo. Fatality. Hard closures at Paradise and Cathedral Oaks.
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Jun 05, 2020 11:22 AMSo far 1 dead, Black Tag, and 1 Critical , Red Tag.
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Jun 05, 2020 11:33 AMThe motorcycle accident was a separate incident. The fatal one involved a white truck and blue sedan around the ECC intersection.
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Jun 05, 2020 11:38 AMHighway 154 is shut down in both directions from Cathedral Oaks Road to Paradise Road, according to Caltrans.
There was no estimate of when the roadway would reopend, said Caltrans spokesman Jim Shivers. @ 11:20am.
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Jun 05, 2020 11:55 AMI missed this sorry I'm dealing with family stuff and an injury due to arthritis I can hardly even type it hurts so bad.. The CHP has a Traffic Incident Page which can be GOOGLED and there are other reporters around I don't catch everything sorry Thanks JB86, MOUNTAINMAN Others...Family sucks..
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Jun 05, 2020 11:59 AMRoger - you don't need to apologize! We appreciate all the time and effort you put in to get the vast majority of scanner reports.
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Jun 05, 2020 04:49 PMI don't think anyone expects you to report everything Roger, I don't know why you're upset, nobody was criticizing you. Hope you feel better.
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Jun 05, 2020 06:23 PMRoger... I think most of us worry about you when we don’t hear from you. You’re an important part of our lives. Hope you feel better soon. And, that the family stuff settles down quickly. <3
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Jun 06, 2020 09:54 AMI hope things are getting better for you, Roger. You are our rock here.
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Jun 05, 2020 03:36 PMGosh, I hate that road...
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Jun 05, 2020 06:27 PMThere are a pair of crutches around the truck. One near the front, the other beneath the bed of the truck?
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Jun 06, 2020 10:49 AMInteresting observation. Oscar Pereyra is suspected of being DUI, but that makes me wonder if he has a medical condition.
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Jun 06, 2020 01:07 PMWho cares if he has an underlying medical condition if he tested positive for DUI? Even if he had a medical event while also DUI, tough shit! You don't get a free pass, and being under the influence can even instigate a medial event. There is no excuse when a DUI is involved.
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Jun 06, 2020 10:01 PMSBLIFE — Actually, MY reference to the crutches, had to do with my wondering if whoever it was, was driving while taking pain medications along with, or in addition, to alcohol. I WASN’T intending it to be considered that he would have an EXCUSE for DUI. No one should be driving with any of those possibilities.
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Jun 05, 2020 07:19 PMAh jeez how selfish.
Rest in Peace to the deceased - comfort and prayers for the families.
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Jun 06, 2020 10:46 AMI agree! Very sad indeed. The deceased has now been identified by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, was 31-year-old Michael Kai Liu, of Arroyo Grande. What an senseless and tragic loss.
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Jun 05, 2020 08:14 PMHow terrible.
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Jun 05, 2020 09:07 PMHow much was the net on the cold springs bridge? How much would Jersey barriers cost on 154? How many more head-ons do we need to occur before center divide barriers are installed?
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Jun 05, 2020 09:17 PMMuch of 154 is narrow and/or winding. I don’t know if adequate barriers could be placed, leaving sufficient room for safe travel in many areas. And, then if one lane is closed for any reason, how would ANY traffic get by?
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Jun 06, 2020 10:29 AMI guarantee you placing concrete jersey barriers down the yellow centerline is a recipe for disaster. For every head-on collision, I bet there are 500 or more people that accidentally drift onto the centerline for a moment before correcting, especially on windy portions. Guess what happens if there's a barrier there? High speed crashes galore.
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Jun 06, 2020 11:00 AMNot only that, but how would deer, etc., cross the road? They'd be trapped in the middle. Barriers are a terrible idea.
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Jun 06, 2020 06:56 AMSpeed limit of 35.
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Jun 06, 2020 03:24 PMThat might work for the people that obey speed limit laws. Many people don’t obey the ones in place now.
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Jun 06, 2020 03:39 PMWe need the current speed limits to be enforced.
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Jun 06, 2020 07:35 AMOfficials need to improve this road, by barriers or speed enforcement or something! It’s like an ongoing killing machine. Another tragedy.
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Jun 06, 2020 10:30 AMNo, irresponsible human drivers are the killing machines.
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Jun 06, 2020 01:44 PMA sobriety check point. But it would have to be 24hours and it has to be randomly frequent. Who would've expected someone to be DUI at 10AM. Is the casino open 24 hours these days?
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Jun 06, 2020 05:02 PM@Oceandrew, the casino isn't open. Does not open until Wednesday.
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Jun 06, 2020 07:41 AMDUI at 10:40am. This guy has done this before. There is no way he doesnt have priors and a family that knows he's a drunk.
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Jun 06, 2020 08:58 AMThe guy is DUI and you all want to talk about speed limits and barriers. Genius.
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Jun 06, 2020 10:01 AMI drive that road over and back every day I go to work. Several times I have had to take evasive action when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line. I succeeded in avoiding a collision - but may not be so lucky next time. Barriers are needed - no ifs, ands or buts!
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Jun 06, 2020 12:36 PMBarriers have their own dangers. They take up space and thus narrow the lanes a bit. Have you driven in construction zones with narrow lanes created by barriers? Scary. And another poster said, animals would get trapped or confused. Maybe better policing of erratic drivers, speeding drivers? Drunk drivers cause problems everywhere and we haven’t come up with solutions yet.
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Jun 08, 2020 09:33 AMState law regulates highways with barriers. Would not accomplish any reduction in speeds or increase in safety.
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Jun 06, 2020 10:35 AMThe (now deceased) driver of the Hyundai Sonata, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, was 31-year-old Michael Kai Liu, of Arroyo Grande. Very sad.
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Jun 06, 2020 12:24 PMGod, that road is awful. SO so so many accidents over the years.
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Jun 06, 2020 01:18 PMAnd this morning a cyclist riding up from Santa Barbara approaching the pass in dangerous curves and then later a Step UP biker doing the same. There is no shoulder room in many areas! Geez!
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Jun 06, 2020 01:33 PMAnother DUI Driver commits Homicide..
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Jun 06, 2020 06:27 PMOscar should have an easy record for them to search.
Last time I saw him it was at the Valero on La Cumbre checking the trash for cans to recycle.
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Jun 07, 2020 02:16 PMHe is a long time addict should of never been driving
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Jun 07, 2020 03:34 PMCameras and tickets by mail!
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Jun 07, 2020 03:54 PMThat'll work, it's kept me from shopping in Ventura for the last 10 years. lol