Fatal Accident on Highway 154

Just before midnight on Wednesday, a 45-year-old Malibu man was killed in a traffic accident on Highway 154. According to CHP reports, the victim was riding in the passenger seat of a truck driven by Bert Barrera, 38, and the two were on their way to the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.

Barrera relayed to authorities that while traveling westbound he swerved right to avoid rocks that had fallen into the road, causing the truck to veer off the edge of the roadway where it struck a large boulder. At this point Barrera reportedly lost control, and the truck slammed into the hillside and rolled over. As it flipped, the truck’s roof was caved in, fatally crushing the passenger. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of his family.

Barrera sustained only minor injuries and was able to extricate himself from the wreck with the help of passing motorists who stopped to help. Both men were wearing their seatbelts, and alcohol was determined not to be a factor in the accident.