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Woman reportedly involved in major crash on the Mesa in Santa Barbara turns herself in to police

sophia Koch
Santa Barbara Police Department
Sophia Koch, 19, of Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A woman who said she was the driver involved in a major injury crash on the Mesa in Santa Barbara turned herself in to Santa Barbara police on Wednesday.

19-year-old Sophia Koch is a Santa Barbara resident. Police said she came to them with her attorney and confessed to being the driver involved in the crash on the 1500 block of Cliff Drive.

The crash occurred at 1 a.m. on Thursday, May 7.

Investigators of the incident said that a 2020 Range Rover was traveling eastbound at a high speed when it crashed straight into a parked Toyota Scion sedan.

Police said the Scion was hurled 160 feet down the road and debris flew an additional 1,300 feet. The roof of the Range Rover was also torn off by the impact.

Two women were inside the Range Rover during the crash. Both sustained major injuries and were transported to the hospital.

Police said Sophia Koch has been charged with seriously injuring someone while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, vehicle theft, driving without a driver's license and speeding while DUI.

Article Topic Follows: Crime & Courts

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Jessica Brest

Jessica Brest is a digital journalist and assignment editor for NewsChannel 3-12. To learn more about Jessica, click here.

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