Lompoc Man Arrested for Fatal DUI Collision in Santa Maria

On 8/25/24 at approximately 1:13 a.m., Santa Maria Police Officers were dispatched to a major injury collision at Skyway and Auto Park.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that driver one, Suspect: Eduardo Chavez Hernandez was traveling in his vehicle west on Skyway and upon approaching the curve of Skyway to a north and south direction failed to navigate the turn.

This resulted in Hernandez’s vehicle traveling west in the eastbound lane of Skyway and colliding with vehicle two, driven by Mathew Venable in a head-on collision in the number one eastbound lane. Upon investigation, it is suspected that Hernandez was driving under the influence of alcohol during the crash.

Mathew Venable suffered life threatening injuries and Hernandez’s passenger sustained moderate injuries requiring sutures for a laceration to his head. Hernandez was arrested and booked the night of the collision for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and felony DUI crash with injury. Hernandez is a 41-year-old male, a Lompoc Resident.

On 8-30-2024, Driver 2, Mathew Venable succumbed to his injuries and passed away. Venable is described as a 60-year-old male, a Santa Maria resident.

The Santa Maria Police Department Traffic Unit is currently investigating the collision.  This is an ongoing investigation.