23-Year-Old Killed in Possible Drunk Driving Accident

A 23-year-old Santa Barbara man was killed Tuesday evening in a single-vehicle crash in Goleta. According to Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Drew Sugars, deputies responded to the accident — in the 800 block of Hollister Avenue — at 6:55 p.m.

A 17-year-old female from Goleta was driving a 1997 Toyota 4Runner westbound on Hollister Avenue, said Sugars, when her car collided with a concrete retaining wall. Two adult passengers, including victim Francisco Javier Castellanos, were in the car at the time of the accident. All three were transported to Cottage Hospital where Castellanos was pronounced dead.

The driver, whose name has not been released due to her age, and the other passenger remain in the hospital. Their injuries do not appear to be life threatening, said Sugars.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but Sugars said alcohol may have played a role.