Accused DUI Driver Charged with Manslaughter Following Crash Victim’s Death

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced Friday that a motion to amend has been filed along with an amended felony complaint against Katelyn Fultz, 28 of Santa Barbara.

The amendment is based on the death of Carly Grace Howard, 24 of Santa Ynez, who was injured on May 1 while she was traveling to work when Fultz crashed into the vehicle she was in just before 7:00 a.m. on Highway 154 near San Antonio Creek Road.

Howard sustained traumatic injuries and was placed on life support. Last week her family posted an update on their fundraising page stating the damage to her brain is irreparable, leaving her with no quality of life or independence of basic bodily functions, and no expectation of regaining consciousness.

Around 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, Howard’s family announced she had died.

“Carly passed away peacefully and is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you, everyone, for the support you have shown through both prayers and donations. It has helped more than you know. Every donation has been seen, and the prayers have been felt,” the family stated. “We are grateful for our friends, family, and community; and, we are grateful for the reach of Carly’s story and how we have been afforded the opportunity to showcase God’s grace.”

The collision took place on May 1 between a GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by Fultz and a Pontiac Vibe sedan resulting in injuries to three people.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated the GMC was traveling eastbound when the truck crossed the double yellow lines into oncoming traffic and collided with the sedan head-on.

A total of three people sustained injuries. Howard required extrication from the vehicle and sustained critical injuries and another person in the sedan referred to as “A.Aneira” sustained moderate injuries while Fultz also sustained moderate injuries.

Fultz was subsequently arrested for DUI and originally charged with causing great bodily injury.

In the amended complaint, Fultz is charged with one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury,  inflicting great bodily injury, driving with a .15% blood alcohol content or higher, and driving as an unlicensed driver.

The case is set for Preliminary Hearing Setting on June 10, 2025 in Department 11 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court.

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