Man killed in crash near Carpinteria identified

The man killed in a car crash on southbound U.S. Highway 101 just north of Santa Claus Lane Thursday night, has been identified as 62-year-old John Scheuerman of Santa Barbara.

The accident happened about 8 p.m. according to the California Highway Patrol traffic incident website. A vehicle, described as a white Subaru WRX, reportedly began to swerve on the roadway before plunging about 50 feet off the roadway.

After the crash, the car’s engine compartment caught on fire, and sparked a small brush fire. Fire crews were able to put out the blaze and extricate the driver.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of his injuries. The incident created a major traffic backup but the freeway was not shut down.

It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol contributed to the deadly crash. The cause is being investigated by CHP.