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Update by the Santa Barbara Police Department
On May 15, 2021, around 1220pm, a Santa Barbara Police Officer observed a stolen vehicle driving in the area of San Andres Street and West Micheltorena Street. The vehicle was reported stolen several days ago from the north-end in the City of Santa Barbara.
The Officer followed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Bath Street. Once the Officer initiated the traffic stop, the vehicle fled from the Officer while driving recklessly and committing multiple traffic violations. The Officer did not keep-pace with the fleeing vehicle for community safety reasons. As the Officer continued east on West Islay Street, the Officer observed at a distance of two city blocks, the stolen vehicle collided with an MTD bus after running a stop sign at the intersection of State Street and Islay Street. The MTD bus was driving south on State Street just prior to the collision. The stolen vehicle violated the bus’s right-of-way when it failed to stop at the stop sign causing the traffic collision.
Prior to the collision, multiple Santa Barbara Police Officers were responding to the area to assist.
Officers on scene rendered medical aid to those injured until Fire and Paramedics arrived. Two of the occupants in the stolen vehicle had serious injuries, and 6 passengers on the bus had minor injuries. Two passengers on the bus were transported to the hospital for treatment.
The driver of the stolen vehicle, a Santa Barbara resident, Jose Munoz (24 years old) was transported to Cottage Hospital for his injuries and is believed to have been driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
There were two teenaged juvenile passengers inside the stolen vehicle, one of the juveniles was transported to Cottage Hospital for their injuries.
Munoz is being charged with 273a PC – Child Endangerment (felony), 23153 VC – DUI Collision Causing Injury (felony), 10851 VC – Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (felony), 11379 H&S Possession of Narcotics for Sale (felony), and 148(a)(1) PC – Evading (misdemeanor). Munoz is currently under arrest and being treated at Cottage Hospital for his injuries.
Juvenile 1 is currently being treated at Cottage Hospital and will be released to their guardian.
Juvenile 2 was transported to the Santa Barbara Police Department and released to their guardian.
By Scanner Andrew
12:38 p.m., May 15, 2021
A vehicle traveling at high speeds collided with an MTD bus at State & Islay Streets.
