Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision title=
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision
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Photos: SBCFD
Update by CHP
6:20 p.m., June 5, 2020
 
Driver: Oscar Pereya, 61-years-old male of Santa Barbara, driving a 2000 Toyota Tacoma
Driver: Michael Kai Liu, 31-year-old male from Arroyo Grande, driving a 2009 Hyundai Sonata
 
On 06/05/2020, at approximately 10:40 A.M., a fatal traffic collision occurred on State Route 154, west of East Camino Cielo.  The two vehicles involved were a 2000 Toyota Tacoma and a 2009 Hyundai Sonata.  The Toyota was traveling eastbound on SR-154, approaching East Camino Cielo at an undetermined speed.  The Hyundai was traveling westbound on SR-154, west of East Camino Cielo, approaching the Tacoma at a speed of approximately 40 miles per hour.
 
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
11:40 a.m., June 5, 2020
 

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.

Reported by an edhat reader
10:22 a.m., June 5, 2020
 

Motorcycle crash on Highway 154 just past Painted Cave.

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Franfin
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Jun 06, 2020 10:35 AM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

The (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.

Davidb
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Jun 06, 2020 10:01 AM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

I 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!

a-1593705967
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Jun 06, 2020 12:36 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

Barriers 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.

oceandrew
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Jun 06, 2020 01:44 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

A 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?

4358ed
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Jun 05, 2020 09:07 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

How 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?

SBLIFE
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Jun 06, 2020 10:29 AM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

I 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.

Potif
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Jun 05, 2020 09:17 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

Much 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?

Franfin
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Jun 06, 2020 10:46 AM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

I 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.

Potif
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Jun 06, 2020 10:01 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

SBLIFE — 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.

SBLIFE
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Jun 06, 2020 01:07 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

Who 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.

Roger
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Jun 05, 2020 11:55 AM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

I 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..

Potif
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Jun 05, 2020 06:23 PM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

Roger... 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

mark snyder
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Jun 05, 2020 11:38 AM
Santa Barbara Man Arrested for DUI in Fatal Collision

Highway 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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