Driver arrested and released on ‘zero bail’ crashes into fire hydrant in Downtown Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara police responded to a traffic crash that turned a fire hydrant into a geyser in Downtown Santa Barbara Friday afternoon. However, police said the driver at fault had just been arrested and released after a stolen vehicle pursuit earlier that day.
Santa Barbara police explained that an officer had been patrolling in the area of Carrillo and State streets around 12:45 a.m. on Friday when he saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Santa Barbara on Thursday.
The officer recruited another officer's help before pursuing the stolen silver Toyota 4Runner, which was driving in the area.
Police said the driver of the stolen vehicle attempted to evade police by maneuvering through downtown, including passing through De La Guerra Plaza. Eventually, the driver stopped at the 400 block of West Ortega Street and exited the car, attempting to flee on foot.
Fortunately, officers caught up to him quickly and made an arrest, charging him with drug-related charges and stolen-vehicle charges.
Due to the current zero bail rule instated by the California Judicial Council on April 6, the driver was released from jail later that day without charge.
About 15 hours later, around 4 p.m. on Friday, police said the same driver was traveling in his own vehicle when he failed to stop for a stop sign in the area of Cota and Salsipuedes Streets.
As he crossed the intersection, the driver reportedly collided with another car and crashed into a nearby fire hydrant. The damage caused the hydrant to shoot hundreds of gallons of water into the air and onto the street.
Video shared by a nearby viewer, Duncan Westley, shows that the spout of water exceeded the height of all nearby structures including trees, power poles and power lines.
Santa Barbara police said that no one was injured in the crash. The driver was cited on scene for small traffic violations including running a stop sign. No other arrests were made.
The police department shared their own footage of the downtown geyser on their Instagram account on Saturday.
