Edhat Staff
UPDATE: On Monday, the victim was identified as 22-year-old Otoniel Diaz of Goleta, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency personnel are on the scene of a fatal traffic collision that took place on Highway 154 Friday morning.
At 4:48 a.m., dispatch received a call about a motorcyclist who collided into the guardrail just north of E. Camino Cielo Road. The reporting party stated a white pickup truck was parked across traffic lanes to protect the downed rider.
Emergency responders pronounced the motorcyclist dead on the scene. The identity of the rider has not been disclosed
Per CHP reports, the motorcyclist was riding a navy blue Kawasaki Ninja.
All lanes were blocked for a prolonged period of time. As of 6:00 a.m., CHP reports Highway 154, east of Camino Cielo, is down to one lane due to the crash. Motorists are advised to avoid driving through this area today.
At 7:45 a.m., CHP updated their traffic page to state all lanes are open and operating smoothly.
This is a developing story.
Real-time traffic cameras can be viewed here and real-time traffic updates from CHP can be viewed here.
I’ve ridden the pass, no mercy for the inexperienced. Even had a yellowjacket on the inside of my helmet visor on the way down the pass. Just went with it .. R.I.P.
hatsoff2ya: Don’t get why you were downvoted. When I was a kid, we used to drive the 154 for pleasure. A lovely scenic drive. Many happy trips to Red Rock and Solvang. Now? You couldn’t pay me to drive The Pass. RIP motorcycle rider. Condolences to all who knew and loved him/her.