Suspect Arrested in DUI Hit and Run Traffic Collisions on the Westside

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 9:17 pm the Santa Barbara Police Communications Center received a call of a collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Wentworth and W. Cota St.

There was a report of possible injuries to one of the parties involved and the other involved party was leaving the scene. Officers responded to the call Code 3 (with lights and sirens). 

While responding to the call of the first collision, officers were flagged down near the intersection of San Pascual and Del Monte Ave regarding a second collision that had just occurred. This collision also resulted in injuries to one of the parties involved. 

The suspect vehicle was described as a gray Hyundai Elantra, and the driver had fled the scene. The officers were flagged down by a citizen, who directed the officers to the suspect, who was taken into custody in the 600 block of Wentworth.

The suspect was identified as Jhonathan Duran-Carrasco, 20 years old, of Santa Barbara. Duran-Carrasco was showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol and a DUI investigation was conducted. Duran-Carrasco was ultimately arrested for felony DUI, felony Hit and Run and committing a felony while out on bail.

The injured parties from the collision on San Pascual were treated at the scene.

Additional Officers responded to the scene of the first collision on Wentworth to provide aid and investigate the hit and run collision. The injured party from this collision was transported to the hospital for additional treatment.

Neither the suspect vehicle nor the suspect driver from this collision were on the scene when the officers arrived.

This is still an open investigation, and additional investigation is being conducted to ensure the suspect is properly identified.

Police say the crash scenes on multiple streets on the Santa Barbara Westside last night, resulting in at least one injury and damaged vehicles were connected. A suspect ran and was caught at gunpoint in a backyard. This was on San Pascual St., Del Monte and Wentworth Ave. pic.twitter.com/SiOKcnk6Rw

— John Palminteri (@JohnPalminteri) January 22, 2026