Deputy Hurt in Mysterious Crash

A Santa Barbara Sheriff’s deputy was hurt last night, June 6, when he lost control of his cruiser and crashed near the La Cumbre Road on-ramp. According to a statement issued by the California Highway Patrol, the deputy was driving southbound on Highway 101 at around 10:15 p.m. when “for undetermined reasons” he lost control of the Crown Victoria and traveled up an embankment next to the on-ramp.

The deputy’s car sideswiped a Prius traveling along the ramp, and the cruiser overturned and came to rest on its right side. A responding officer was able to drag the deputy out of the mangled patrol car by breaking it’s side window. The deputy was transported to Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries. The Prius driver complained of shoulder pain but refused treatment.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation.