Teen arrested for DUI after three-vehicle collision on Cliff Drive
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A 19-year-old man from Carpinteria was arrested for driving under the influence after a three-vehicle collision on Cliff Drive Monday.
Two people had minor injuries and one person had to be transported from the scene due to their injuries shared the Santa Barbara Police Department Wednesday.
The driver was arrested at the scene for DUI drugs and was found to have been at fault for the collision stated the Santa Barbara Police Department.
According to the Santa Barbara Police Department, the 19-year-old was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for DUI Drugs causing injury and his bail has been set at $100,000.
The crash is also raising concerns regarding traffic safety in the community.
On Monday, witnesses told Your News Channel's John Palminteri that a speeding vehicle on Cliff Drive collided with a Toyota Highlander at Mesa Lane before hitting a fire hydrant and crashing into a Volkswagon.
Locals like Malcolm Tuffnell says this isn't a surprise, pointing out that the slope of Cliff Drive makes it easier for drivers to pick up speed. He says the area where the street narrows is particularly dangerous.
"When it goes from two to one, there's this race that, you know, people and they race to get in front of. You know, I've seen cars go, you know, past me on the right to get. And then when they get to the roundabout, there are only like one car ahead of me. So they really didn't gain anything," said Tuffnell.
Cyclists pointed out another problem spot on Cliff Drive.
“When you're on Cliff and you go past Monroe School, there's an area where there's no room for the bike and I make sure to ride my bike in the gutter space of the curb and cars are zooming right next to me," explained Ryan Adams, who regularly uses his e-bike to get to and from work.
Adams says he's urging the city to do more to protect cyclists and pedestrians, especially near the roundabout.
“I've actually asked the city if they can put up the flashing lights, you know, when you've hit the button and crossed the street that I haven't heard anything about that," Adams shared.
Kat Foote says a greater police presence and more red light cameras would make the area safer.
“I see people run lights a lot more often. They'll go through, you know, like late yellow lights are almost like going to be red before they get through," she detailed.
The image below shows the jet of water from the damaged fire hydrant just after the crash.
We checked the crash scene Tuesday afternoon and saw water bubbling from the broken base of the fire hydrant that has now been replaced and is shown below.
