Vanessa Noblitt Sentenced for DUI Crash That Killed SLO County Cyclist

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A San Luis Obispo County judge has sentenced Vanessa Rose Noblitt to state prison for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for killing a cyclist back in 2024.

On September 15th, Noblitt pled guilty to the charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more causing injury, and hit and run. She admitted to having a blood alcohol concentration of .15 percent or higher on July 23, 2024 and causing a bike vs. vehicle collision that took the life of Saul Goldberg and injured Martin Suits.

Around noon on July 23, 2024, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's office says Noblitt was driving southbound on South Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo when she drifted into the bike lane and struck Mr. Goldberg from the side.

Mr. Suits was biking alongside Goldberg in the bike lane when both men were knocked down by Noblitt's vehicle. Suits suffered a concussion and other injuries, however, 86-year-old Goldberg died from his injuries several days later. 

Noblitt fled the scene, but was arrested after crashing into another car in a nearby mobile home park. When found, her blood alcohol concentration was determined to be .31 percent, nearly four times the legal limit.

In a victim impact statement read to the court at sentencing, Saul's wife, Carol Goldberg, said:

"I was married to Saul for 64 years. At the time of this tragedy, Saul and I were looking forward to celebrating our 65th wedding anniversary on December 5th in Australia. Every day now, I wake up to a reality I never chose: a life without my best friend and the love of my life. Through a reckless and selfish act, Vanessa Noblitt took the life not only of my husband, but also of a caring and generous father and grandfather."

"I live each day carrying a loss that can never be repaired, and I will miss everything about Saul for the rest of my life."

On October 13, 2026, Noblitt was sentenced to 9 years and 8 months in state prison, the maximum penalty allowed by law for the offenses and special allegations to which she pled guilty.

The court also ordered Noblitt to pay restitution to the victims in an amount to be determined. A restitution status hearing is set for January 12, 2027.

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