Edhat Staff
Update by the California Highway Patrol
August 21, 2023
Vehicle #1: 2020 Nissan Altima
Driver: Robert Michaelius Brown, 22 of South Jacksonville, FL (deceased)
Vehicle #2: 2016 Infiniti QX60
Driver: Maria Suarez Jimenez, 57 of Oxnard (major injuries)
Passenger: Rosa Marie Suarez, 69 of Oxnard (major injuries)
Passenger: Ofelia Vargas Suarez, 61 of Oxnard (moderate injuries)
Passenger: Maria Suarez Garibay, 75 of Oxnard (moderate injuries)
Passenger: Jaime Jimenez Suarez, 53 of Oxnard (moderate injuries)
On August 19, 2023, at approximately 1:24 A.M., a fatal traffic crash occurred on State Route 154, west of San Antonio Creek Road. The two vehicles involved were a 2020 Nissan Altima and a 2016 Infiniti QX60. The Infiniti was traveling eastbound on SR-154, west of San Antonio Creek Road at a speed of approximately 55 miles per hour. The Nissan was traveling westbound on State Route 154, approaching the Infiniti at an undetermined speed.
The driver of the Nissan allowed the car to travel across the double yellow lines and into the eastbound lane, directly into the path of the Infiniti. The vehicles crashed within the eastbound lane and came to rest blocking lanes. The sole occupant and driver of the Nissan, a 22 year old resident of South Jacksonville, Florida, sustained major injuries as a result of the crash and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Infiniti, Maria Estella Suarez Jimenez, sustained major injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment. All four passengers in the Infiniti were also transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained as a result of the crash.
This crash is still under investigation. At this time it has not been determined if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this crash. The name of the driver of the Nissan Altima is being withheld at this time pending next of kin notification.
(Full CHP report is available below)
Fatal Crash on Highway 154 Early Saturday
By the edhat staff
August 19, 2023
One person was killed and five others were injured in a crash on Highway 154 early Saturday morning.
At 1:46 a.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the scene, just north of San Antonio Creek Road in Santa Barbara.
Two vehicles were involved in the collision, a white Nissan Ultima and a black Infinity SUV.
The driver of the Nissan, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to County Fire Captain Scott Safechuck.
Five adults in the Infinity SUV sustained injuries, two in critcial condition and three with moderate injuries. All were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in three ground ambulances.
Highway 154 was closed in both directions near the Windy Gap area and reopened around 7:15 a.m. Saturday.
California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of this collision.
Photo: SBCFD
It’s insane to drive 154 at night in complete darkness.
Bad enough during the day!
FOND and COAST – I agree 100%. Although not at issue here, semis should be banned, as well as more police presence to stop reckless and speeding drivers. So many injuries and deaths on this road. I always take the extra 10 minutes and drive the 101.
An extra dangerous road to drive between 10pm-5am… for the usual reasons,
154 is faster to Santa Ynez, Ballard, Los Olivos and everything on the east of 154.
Been driving the pass (to and from work) since I first came to SB in 1982… of course traffic levels have increased over time, but not until smart phones and Navigation systems became standard in most vehicles did the traffic volume increase exponentially. Many drivers are routed that way, as a shortcut, never having driven the road before. It’s always been a crap shoot, these days, I often opt for the “long” way home via 101.
Drove it day after incident, looks like Nissan hit shoulder and over corrected into oncoming traffic. Been commuting the pass for two decades, the highway has had many upgrades over the years, the rumble strip down the center divider was a huge plus. But it’s still a very dangerous road. Please if you travel this pass take your time and slow down. Diver might not of been familiar with the road being from FL. Preying for all involved.
Or even praying.
Someone died buddy! But you took the time to comment on grammar? Maybe it was autocorrect, maybe your car will autocorrect into oncoming traffic!
I understand releasing the name of the deceased, but why the full names and ages of the injured? That’s very strange to me, feels violating and what is the point of the public knowing that information? I wouldn’t be cool with that if I were the injured.
Good point.
Totally agree, why would the public have the right to this information?
How horrible. My condolences to the loved ones
I think out of town drivers and truckers take this road because GPS apps show SR-154 saves a few miles. Sadly, these apps don’t post the technical difficulty of driving this road, or the maximum 55 mph speed limit. The following suggestion may sound morbid, but perhaps it could reduce the ongoing slaughter of inexperienced drivers and their victims. Install electronic signage on both ends of SR-154 which posts the number of fatalities, injuries, and accidents over the previous 12 months. I’ve seen such signs in Iceland and even Chicago (number of pedestrians killed on city streets). In the least, it reminds everyone to be more cautious when driving this route.
Most times of day, 154 saves only 3-6 minutes compared to 101. All Caltrans would have to do is lower the speed limit 5mph in some section, or add a stop sign somewhere, there’s plenty of locations ripe for a stop sign. Maybe at the grocery store. It’s rather offensive that they haven’t done this already in the name of safety.
I agree, and if you add the usual traffic on the road, slow trucks , the ups and downs it is not clear at all that there is any gain either in time of gas expenditures.
So certainly commuting trucks have no reasons to be on this road.