Anonymous
Update by Santa Barbara Police Department
July 6, 2021
On July 4, 2021, around 9:20pm, multiple Santa Barbara Police Officers, Fire Department, and AMR Paramedic units responded to the 2300 block of Cliff Drive for a report of serious injury traffic collision involving a single motor vehicle that collided with a tree.
Witnesses informed Officers that a black Ford Mustang was traveling at a high rate of speed east on Cliff Drive when it appeared the driver of the vehicle lost control while navigating the windy road and collided with a large tree on the ocean side of Cliff Drive. There were three passengers inside the vehicle at the time of the collision as well.
Neighbors in the area heard the collision and ran out to render aid to the occupants that all appeared to have serious injuries. The Santa Barbara Police Critical Accident Team responded to investigate this collision due to the serious injuries sustained by all involved.
Fire Department personnel needed to use special equipment to extricate the occupants. All four occupants of the vehicle were transported to Cottage Hospital for medical treatment.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Marlon Anibal Valle Mejia, 23-year-old Santa Barbara resident. Mejia is suspected of being under the influence at the time of the collision and was administratively placed under arrest while he undergoes further medical treatment. This case is still under investigation.
Photo: SBPD
By Roger the Scanner Guy
July 4, 2021
Vehicle vs. tree in the 3200 block of Cliff Drive.
The report says the driver lost control navigating the windy road. Windy like lots of blowing wind? Or windy like winding? The road is straight for several blocks there. And I don’t recall heavy winds that night.