Authorities Investigating Fatal Accident in Carpinteria Involving a Gunshot Victim
UPDATE
The victim has been identified as 77-year–old James Jim Drain of Carpinteria.
His vehicle, a Chrysler Town and Country van was located after his cell phone was traced to the location of the crash, about 50 feet over the side on a curvy section of Highway 150 about a mile northeast of U.S. 101. The Sheriff’s Aviation Unit was involved in the search.
Drain was reported missing by family members last night about 8 p.m.
Sheriff’s investigators tell NewsChannel 3 that Drain had a gunshot wound, which is under investigation, but at this time it is believed it is self-inflicted. The weapon was inside the vehicle.
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PRIOR INFORMATION
A fatal vehicle accident was reported in Carpinteria just after 12 noon Tuesday, says the California Highway Patrol.
It appears that one vehicle went over the side of the road near the area of U.S. 101 northbound and the State Route 150 off ramp.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies are on scene and have shut down Highway 150 westbound at Rincon Road.
Our news crews can only confirm one man is dead at this time.
Commuters traveling through the area had to take an alternate route due to road closures.
No further details were immediately known. We’ll continue to update this story as new information becomes available.
