A woman sustained major injuries Monday after being struck by a vehicle while standing outside her car following an initial collision with a deer on Cathedral Oaks Road.
Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the incident at approximately 11:39 a.m. after receiving a report of a single-vehicle collision involving a deer on Cathedral Oaks Road between Los Carneros and Storke Roads, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The initial collision killed the deer on impact. The two occupants of the vehicle initially reported no injuries.
While fire crews were en route with lights and sirens, both occupants exited their vehicle. The female occupant walked to the front of her car to check on the deer and assess the damage, the Fire Department said.
At that moment, a second vehicle rear-ended her parked car, pushing it forward and striking her.
The woman sustained major injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the secondary collision remains under investigation.
Cathedral Oaks Road has since reopened and fire crews have cleared the scene. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers may remain in the area for the ongoing investigation.
Safety Reminders
The Fire Department issued the following safety reminders in connection with the incident:
- If your vehicle becomes disabled in the roadway, exit safely and move to a secure location away from traffic.
- Avoid distracted driving — it only takes a second to cause serious harm.
Motorists are urged to drive safely and stay alert.
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Drivers constantly exceed the speed limit here on this stretch of Cathedral Oaks. Would not be surprised at all if that was a major factor. This stretch is pretty straight, so unless she was parked in the middle of the lane, the 2nd driver was likely not paying attention and going too fast to react.
What you think, BEES? What’s your theory on this? Deer should have looked both ways? Sun was not in the right place?
I used to drive my son to school along this stretch. I called it, “The Dos Pueblos 500” because there were so many people speeding.
Don’t get me started on the entitled cyclists on this stretch. So many great riders that follow the rules, so I am only talking about the aholes that ride doubled up or drift too far into traffic.
No bicyclists were involved here. It sounds like you’re the entitled one. Share the road.
I was referring to the daily happenings on this stretch of road. You don’t seem to be familiar with it. So. Do you ride a recumbent bicycle, or a $30,000 road bike and weat a US Postal jersey?
Terrible chain of events, hopefully she is ok. Hope the deer she hit was not a buck!!
Let’s hope the injured woman recovers quickly. The Bishop Ranch and surrounding properties often have quite a few deer. It’s good practice to be extra careful driving in that area. The stretch of road from Glen Annie to North Los Carneros was 50 mph, but recently dropped to 45 mph. Even at that low speed it would be difficult to avoid hitting any animal darting across the road. The person who rammed the car of the driver who hit the deer was not paying attention for some reason (texting? fell asleep? picking something up off the floorboard or glove box? tie rod end fell off? Something else?). Be safe out there people.
BEES – has your thirst for speeding not been already quenched? My God, man. This stretch is known (at least by those who actually live near it) as a speedway. I’ve had cars tailgating me while I’m going 50-55 mph and even seen people try to pass cars on this section of road.
How many people need to be injured or killed before you accept that speeding is one of the most deadly things you can do?
Ms. Bee “It’s good practice to be extra careful driving in that area. ” No %&$* Sherlock, it is good to be extra careful any time you get behind the wheel. You go from telling everyone to get over speeding to telling everyone to drive safely on this road. What is going on in-between your ears?
This week a helmet-less kid on an “e-bike” that can travel 45mph was weaving all over Patterson Ave, turned right on Cathedral Oaks and was passing vehicles in the center and right sided lanes, weaving back and forth. Incredibly dangerous. I’ve never seen a motorcyclist do what he was doing.