Driver involved in deadly crash on Hwy 154 faces murder charges
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The driver involved in a crash on Highway 154 that killed a Solvang woman and her two young children is now facing three counts of murder.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday that it had filed a felony complaint against John Roderick Dungan, 28, of Santa Barbara. He was charged with three counts of murder in the October 25 crash. It happened just east of the Cold Spring Bridge.
A total of three cars were involved. Dungan was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash. Two people in another car were not injured.
Rebecca Vanessa Goss Bley, 34, and her two children, Lucienne Bley Gleason and Desmond Bley Gleason were killed. Their car caught fire and caused a small brush fire following the crash.
Investigators were previously looking into whether Dungan meant to harm himself and others in the crash. CHP officers say he was on the wrong side of the road when his car slammed into Bley's car.
Dungan was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Friday.
He is currently being held on $2 million bail.
The CHP plans to meet with Bley's husband on Thursday and update him on the case. After that meeting, CHP officers will hold a news conference and discuss the crash. NewsChannel 3 will have a crew at that news conference.
Previous coverage:
Woman, two children killed in three-car crash that sparked two-acre fire along Highway 154
Solvang woman and two children killed in Highway 154 crash
CHP still actively investigating deadly crash on Highway 154
Triple fatal leads to mental health investigation
California Highway Patrol conducts speed enforcement on Highway 154
