A devastating single-car crash in Santa Maria claimed the lives of five people and left another in critical condition Sunday afternoon, according to the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD). The incident occurred just before 2:00 p.m.
at the intersection of South Broadway and Miller Street, a busy area that saw both sides of Highway 135 closed during the initial investigation.
Police reported that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck a traffic signal pole. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fifth victim died from injuries sustained in the crash at Marian Regional Medical Center.
The sole survivor remains in critical condition at the same hospital.
Preliminary evidence suggests that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash, though SMPD officers are still working to confirm both the high speed and alcohol involvement as certainties during the ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Santa Maria Police Department.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The community is in shock as this tragic event underscores the dangers of impaired and reckless driving.