Five-Vehicle Collision Leaves One Dead, Man Facing Manslaughter Charges

SANTA MARIA – The suspect involved in the five-vehicle collision at the intersection of West McCoy and South Broadway this past Tuesday night now faces additional charges related to the accident.

Cristian Iban Rodriguez Carbajal

Cristian Iban Rodriguez Carbajal, 19, was originally arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs causing injury and reckless driving for the June 18 accident, police said.

Carbajal is also facing new charges of vehicular manslaughter for the death of 18 year-old Jade Maria Dodson. He is currently being held at the Santa Barbara County Jail and his bail has been increased to $1 million.

According to police, Carbajal was driving a black 1997 Chevrolet truck southbound on Broadway at McCoy just before 7:30 p.m. when he allegedly ran a red light, causing three separate vehicles to collide.

Dodson, who was the passenger in a silver Toyota Corolla driven by a 19-year-old male, sustained major injuries in the collision and was transported to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, where she died from her injuries the following day. Police say the driver of the Corolla remains in critical condition at the hospital.

The three other vehicles involved in the collision sustained minor to major damage, although none of the drivers or passengers were injured.

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