Santa Barbara County – The hazards of driving under the influence are well known, and the dangers such drivers pose to innocent, sober travelers on area highways can be profound. Evidence of just how serious the consequences of one person’s inebriation can be to those who share the roadways came just after midnight on July 3rd on U.S. Highway 1 outside the city of Lompoc.
According to a California Highway Patrol spokesman, Manuel Santos, a 29-year-old Lompoc resident was driving his 2005 Toyota Corolla when he lost control of the car at a speed sufficient to drift off the roadway into a culvert, whereupon it struck a large boulder “which caused the vehicle to become airborne and slam into a power pole.” The vehicle retained such momentum at that point, according to the CHP report, that Santos’ vehicle then re-entered the flow of oncoming traffic where it was struck by a vehicle occupied by Lompoc residents Matthew Woodman, 23, Mia Rodierda-Wallo, 20, Jesenia Liborio, 22, and an unnamed 8-year-old female.
Liborio, who was reported to have been riding in the vehicle’s front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 8-year-old, according to Santa Barbara Fire Department Capt. Dave Saniboni , “was sitting in the right rear seat not wearing a seatbelt,” and suffered life-threatening injuries. The other victims sustained moderate to severe injuries and were transported to Santa Maria’s Marian Regional Medical Center.
For his part, Santos suffered major injuries of his own, and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment, where it was soon determined that he was under the influence and over the legal limit for blood alcohol levels. While in the hospital, Santos was arrested on charges of felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing great bodily injury, driving without a valid license, and child endangerment. Once released from the hospital, he will be transported to Santa Barbara County Jail, at which time his bail amount will be set.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Fire Dept.
