One person was killed, and three others were injured in a suspected DUI crash along Highway 184 in the mountains above Santa Barbara last Wednesday.
According to the story appearing on the Noozhawk website, the accident happened on Wednesday, April 8th, when an eastbound Mazda 3 sedan crossed into the westbound lanes of Highway 184 and directly into the path of an oncoming Toyota 4-Runner.
In a statement to reporters, Fire Captain Daniel Bertucelli said the Toyota crashed into the side of the Mazda. Extensive extrication methods had to be used to free the accident victims from the wreckage.
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Officials report that a total of four people were injured in the crash. One of those injured was a male passenger in the Mazda who suffered major injuries in the crash. He was rushed to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he later died. Captain Cindy Pontes, a spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol, said the victim had been identified as 21-year-old Cole DeBortolli, of Santa Barbara.
The driver of the Mazda, 22-year-old Brian Watana Dul of Goleta, suffered moderate injuries in the collision. Dul was arrested at the scene of the crash for suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
Also injured in the crash were the driver of the Toyota, Mitchell Sumner, 59, of Long Beach and his wife, Kelly Sumner, 52. Both occupants of the Toyota suffered minor injuries.
The accident is still currently under investigation. Anyone with any information regarding the crash is asked to contact the CHP at (805) 967-1234.
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