Driver struggles with Santa Barbara police during arrest after crushing two-vehicle crash

SANTA BARBARA - A driver was involved in a struggle with Santa Barbara police officers with many witnesses looking on after a violent crash that damaged two vehicles.

It happened about 11:25 p.m. on Canon Perdido Street near San Andres.

Neighbors said the Toyota sedan came from Loma Alta street at a high speed and lost control, hitting a large parked Ford F-150 FX 4 truck. The back left wheel was broken and the truck was pushed into a power pole.

The sedan sustained crushing damage to its front right suspension.

The driver has not been identified. She is a female who neighbors say they found hiding in the bushes nearby and who resisted their help. A man was sitting on the curb talking to police near the crash scene and was believed to be a passenger.

The driver was contacted by police, and during that conversation a struggle broke out in front of numerous residents. The driver was arrested on the ground.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office is expected to file charges that include driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident.

The Santa Barbara City Fire department was called for a hazardous investigation to inspect the power pole or any damage to utility lines.

The street was open Saturday morning.