Double Tragedy for Well-Known Santa Maria Valley Family

A double tragedy for a well-known Santa Maria Valley family after the California Highway Patrol has identified the man killed on Highway 154 earlier this week as Michael Okerblom.

Officers say the 31-year-old hit an embankment and slammed into another car west of San Antonio Creek Road.

Okerblom’s death comes nearly four years after his cousin Eric Okerblom, 19, was killed by a distracted driver on Telephone Road. Since then, Erik’s parents have become advocates for road safety.

Michael Okerblom recently married his wife with three step children, according to his brother Jonathan Okerblom. Jonathan describes Michael as a compassionate person and says he recently moved to Lake Nacimiento to be with his new wife and children, where they could enjoy the little things like feeding deer in their backyard. Michael was one of five siblings.

As of Thursday evening, the cause of the crash is under investigation.