I am writing to implore the powers that be to add a guard rail along the right lane of southbound Highway 101 for approximately 1/8th of a mile north of southbound Highway 101 at Olive Mill Road exit in Montecito.
A guardrail is necessary as we were made aware on Sunday morning, August 13, 2023 at approximately 3 a.m. when a violent vehicle crash caused by a Toyota Camry sedan slamming into an SUV carrying two people occurred on the southbound lane of the freeway just north of the Olive Mill Road exit in Montecito. The driver of the Toyota was charged with DUI, according to the police report. The crash resulted in the SUV going down the embankment through brush, sheering off part of a large pine tree and decimating a new chain link fence, striking and coming to rest within inches within inches of the patio wall of one of the condominium units. Sadly, the passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver was badly injured.
An emergency vehicle arrived within approximately 3 minutes, followed by 2-3 fire trucks. Multiple first responders with flash and floodlights followed to locate the vehicle and assist victims.