Santa Barbara Sidewalk Memorial Honors E-Bike Rider Killed by Suspected DUI Driver
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A growing sidewalk memorial on State Street, near Pedregosa Street, marks the site where 29-year-old Joel Gonzalez was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver Sunday night.
Santa Barbara police say Gonzalez was riding his e-bike just after 9:30 p.m. when he was hit by a black SUV while heading home from work at the restaurant Santo Mezcal on lower State Street. He lived near the Old Mission and often spent time in the Mission Rose Garden. He was just blocks from home when the crash occurred.
According to the Santa Barbara Police Department, the initial investigation suggests that Gonzalez may have veered or turned in front of the vehicle while traveling southbound on State Street. Officers observed that the driver, 36-year-old Santa Barbara resident Christina Almada, was displaying signs of alcohol intoxication. A DUI investigation followed, and Almada was arrested at the scene.
She was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on several charges: gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injury, and driving without a license. Her bail was set at $100,000. Almada has since posted bail.
The memorial in Gonzalez’s honor includes flowers, candles, Dodgers memorabilia, and some of his favorite drinks. Family and friends have been gathering throughout the week to remember the Santa Barbara native, who graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in 2013. He would have turned 30 next month.
Gonzalez leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter, Sophia, who spoke at the memorial.
“He was kind, he was really, like, just a hard worker, and he really just got his real estate license and he was excited to do it,” said Sophia.
Family members wore Dodgers shirts to the memorial, reflecting their shared love for the team.
Christina Mendoza, a family friend, said Gonzalez previously worked security at 7 Bar on Montecito and Bath Streets before becoming a bar manager at Santo Mezcal by Los Agaves.
“I want everyone to know about Joel,” said Mendoza. “He was an amazing human, a great heart, beautiful smile — el guapo. Loved him to death.”
Mendoza has organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family and posted a QR code at the memorial for easy access. 7 Bar will host a fundraiser on Wednesday, May 21, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to Gonzalez’s family. Friends and staff plan to wear memorial T-shirts in his honor.
Many of Gonzalez’s former classmates have also visited the memorial to offer support to his family.
To assist the family, visit the GoFundMe link below.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/assist-joels-family-during-this-time?lang=en_US
