Crash Claims Life of Santa Maria Man

Goleta - September 10th, 2011

Goleta Police are investigating the cause of a deadly crash in the City of Goleta Friday evening.

At approximately 10:56 pm, on Friday August 9, 2011, CHP, Goleta Police and Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash into a building at the intersection of Hollister Ave at Los Carneros Rd.

There were at least two males seen running from the crashed vehicle and they were quickly located in the surrounding business park. They were both transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. 

Manual Cortez (03-30-92) of Santa Maria was admitted into the hospital and is in stable condition.  Evan Avila (05-26-91) of Santa Maria was treated at the hospital and later released.

The driver of the vehicle, Ignacio Bautista (11-08-90) of Santa Maria was pronounced dead at the scene. Ignacio’s brother, Miguel Bautista (09-20-92) of Santa Maria was found trapped in the back seat of the vehicle.  He was transported to Cottage Hospital and is listed in critical condition. 

Hollister Ave between Los Carneros Road and Cremona Drive was closed to all traffic for approximately five hours.

The Sheriff's Major Accident Response Team (SMART) responded and is handling the traffic collision investigation.  The Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau is handling the death investigation.

The cause of this collision is still under investigation however, alcohol may have been a contributing factor. The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who may have information regarding the collision and/or the involved parties, to contact the Goleta Traffic Unit directly at 805-961-7516 or the Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip Line at 805-681-4171.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org