Two Killed in Separate Hit-and-Run Crashes at Same Santa Maria Intersection; One Driver Arrested

Two people were killed in separate hit-and-run collisions on consecutive nights at the same Santa Maria intersection, and one driver has been arrested, police said.

The crashes occurred at Blosser Road and Bunny Avenue on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22, 2026, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.

At about 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 22, officers and medical personnel responded to a report of a person down near the west side of Blosser Road and found a deceased man believed to be in his 50s.

Preliminary findings indicate he was riding a bicycle southbound in the bike lane when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. The driver did not remain at the scene and has not been located.

The victim has not been formally identified; next-of-kin notification is pending.

The night before, at approximately 11:54 p.m. on Feb. 21, officers responded to the same intersection for a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision.

A 46-year-old Nipomo woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver fled, police said.

Investigators later located the suspected vehicle and arrested the driver, identified as 30-year-old Santa Maria resident Juan Ortiz Mendoza. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County North Jail on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run resulting in death.

Both investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Nick Barton at 805-928-3781, ext. 1358, or SMPD Dispatch.