Women killed on Highway 154 high on drugs
January 13, 2013
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the two women who were struck and killed on Highway 154 had a variety of narcotics in their systems at the time of their deaths. [Noozhawk]
Sara Ornelas, 54, of Santa Barbara, and Barbara Romero , 49, of Lompoc, were killed Dec. 21 after being struck by vehicles driving on the highway.
On Friday, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Williams told Noozhawk toxicology results revealed that Ornelas had methadone in her system, as well as metabolites that could be linked to morphine or codeine, as well as cocaine and heroin.
Romero’s results also revealed she was under the influence of amphetamine, methamphetamine, methadone and metabolites that could be linked to codeine, heroin or morphine.
On Dec. 21, the women were en route to the Chumash Indian Reservation in Santa Ynez when they pulled over near the entrance to a golf course. A small dog that was with them jumped out of the car and into the roadway, where it was struck and killed by a vehicle. One of the women ran into the road in pursuit of the dog, and also was struck.
The second woman went to the aid of her companion and was struck multiple times. Both died at the scene.
Officers arrested Martin Macarena, 48, of San Luis Obispo who allegedly struck one woman before fleeing the scene for felony hit-and-run.
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