Hit-and-run driver kills woman in Santa Barbara, gets arrested

October 10, 2026

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

A hit-and-run driver struck and killed a woman by a Highway 101 on-ramp in Santa Barbara Friday evening, around the same time and place a police officer called off pursing a reckless driver. Eventually, officers located and arrested the hit-and-run suspect.

The Santa Barbara police officer had witnessed a reckless driver in the 300 block of West Carrillo Street and attempted a traffic stop. The driver did not stop and instead sped onto Highway 101.

The officer chose not to pursue the driver because the dangerous manner in which the suspect was driving.

Shortly afterwards, a witness notified the same officer about a hit-and-run in the 400 block of West Mission Street. A woman was walking in the crosswalk adjacent to the northbound Highway 101 on-ramp when she was struck a vehicle. The driver fled the scene. 

The hit-and-run occurred shortly before 10:10 p.m., according to the CHP. The driver fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Responders transported the pedestrian to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Initially, Santa Barbara police responded to the collision. The police department requested that the CHP assume responsibility for the investigation.

The CHP Coastal Division’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), along with CHP officers and detectives, then responded. CHP investigators, with assistance from Santa Barbara police, identified the suspect’s vehicle as a white Mercedes-Benz C43.

Investigators subsequently located the vehicle parked within the city of Santa Barbara and arrested the suspect.

Authorities have yet to release the name of the suspect. The CHP is withholding the identity of the victim as relatives are notified of her death.

Investigators are asking anyone who has information about the incident to call the CHP’s Santa Barbara area office at (805) 770-4800, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Officer Arevalo is the investigating officer for the case.