Motorcyclist Identified as SpaceX Engineer who Died in Multi-Vehicle Crash

Update by the edhat staff
January 19, 2024

The motorcyclist who died in a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 1 near Orcutt on Wednesday has been identified as 31-year-old Lompoc man Yiğit Tokbey, according to Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Raquel Zick.

According to LinkedIn, Tokbey is a Senior Launch Engineer for SpaceX that works out of the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc.

At approximately 9:23 p.m. on January 17, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a report of a pedestrian-involved vehicle collision on southbound Highway 1, just south of Graciosa Road. The CHP stated that officers observed multiple vehicles upon arrival and an unmanned motorcycle stopped on the highway’s southbound shoulder.

CHP stated that for unknown reasons Tokbey lost control of his motorcycle and veered off the roadway and became stationary in the southbound highway lane. He was then struck by multiple oncoming vehicles. Emergency responders pronounced Tokbey dead on the scene.

Witnesses reported it’s possible that more vehicles had struck Tokbey but left the scene prior to CHP arrival. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

CHP is hoping that anyone who can help identify vehicles that may have been involved in the fatal crash or provide any further information to call them at (805) 349-8728.

Motorcyclist Dies in Multi-Vehicle Crash Near Orcutt

By the edhat staff
January 17, 2024

A motorcyclist died on Wednesday evening following a multi-vehicle traffic collision near Orcutt.

Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 135 just south of Orcutt around 9:20 p.m. for a reported collision.

Upon arrival crews found a motorcyclist had been struck by several vehicles. The unidentified male rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

California Highway Patrol closed this area of the roadway for a period of time and is conducting an investigation.