[03-29-2023] Santa Barbara County, CA – Vehicle Crash Involving Firefighters on Highway 101 Hospitalized Eight People

Eight people were hospitalized after a single-vehicle crash in Santa Barbara County on Wednesday morning, March 29, 2023.

The collision reportedly occurred around 5:15 a.m. on Highway 101 in Gaviota.

According to authorities, the firefighters were struck by a Nissan Quest 25 minutes after they responded to a minor collision in the area. The vehicle approached the crash scene at an unsafe speed for roadway conditions.

The 46-year-old driver, Modesto Z., lost control of the vehicle, which traveled across the left lane into a left-turn lane and then veered to the right while rotating clockwise. The minivan then drove onto the right highway shoulder, where officers and firefighters stood.

Two firefighters from Station 31 in Buellton were standing on the side of the highway when the minivan struck them. After continuing onto the dirt shoulder, the minivan overturned.

AMR ambulances and county helicopters transported both firefighters to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with moderate to major injuries. The names of the victims were not released.

A fire captain was reported in serious but stable condition in an intensive care unit Wednesday afternoon, while an engineer was treated and released.

Meanwhile, the minivan driver and passengers sustained minor injuries. A patient with minor to moderate injuries was transported by ambulance to Cottage, and four patients with minor injuries were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center.

A CHP officer sustained minor injuries when he dove out of the way of the minivan and was taken to Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital. It’s unknown whether the driver was cited after the crash.
Highway 101’s southbound lanes reopened around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after being closed for hours between Buellton and Gaviota.

Single-Vehicle Crash Statistics

Single-vehicle accidents account for over 60% of all auto accident fatalities, representing a 9.4% increase from 2019 to 2020. 43% of the participants suffered injuries. Speed, alcohol abuse, and risky passenger behavior are to blame.

An accident occurs when two or more vehicles collide, or a driver strikes another object or person. In any case, being involved in a car accident increases the likelihood of severe injury or death.

Getting around the United States without a motor vehicle is impossible, which provides unparalleled convenience. According to estimates, five people are injured every minute in traffic accidents, and one person dies every fifteen minutes.

You can reduce your chances by always wearing a seatbelt, never letting your guard down, and never driving while distracted. Regardless of the precautions taken, a severe car accident is always possible.

What To Do Following an Accident

We can assist you in obtaining a police report if you have been involved in an accident.

You only need to provide us with the details of what occurred and where it occurred. Our team will then contact the relevant parties and obtain all the required information.
Our team handles this process on behalf of each client, so you do not have to worry about whether your insurance will cover any damage or injuries.

Car Accident Attorneys in Santa Barbara County

Car accidents can be physically and psychologically devastating. This can lead to high hospital and medical care costs and a lengthy legal process against the responsible party. Things frequently go wrong in these scenarios.

After being injured in a car accident, consulting with an attorney is always a good idea. It would be ideal to seek advice from one as soon as possible after experiencing a traumatic event. It is best to file a lawsuit as early as possible to maximize your chances of success.

You can rely on our Santa Barbara car accident attorneys at Arash Law, headed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. Our firm has handled similar cases for decades and successfully recovered millions of dollars in damage claims.

Our contingency fee approach ensures that you do not have to pay anything upfront to be compensated for your losses.

To schedule a free initial consultation with our legal team, dial us today at (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form on our website.