A Canadian couple riding their motorcycle Wednesday afternoon on Old Coast Highway in Montecito were hit by a suspected drunk driver who swerved into their lane. Both the 63-year-old man and his 59-year-old wife sustained major injuries including possible amputations. The driver — 51-year-old Montecito resident Martin Maguire — was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The incident occurred in the 800 block of Old Coast Highway at around 5:20 p.m., said Lt. James Pfleging with the Santa Barbara Police Department. The victims — both reportedly struck on their left legs — were rushed to Cottage Hospital while Maguire was interviewed at the scene and eventually taken into custody. His bail is set at $100,000.
The couple had shipped their Harley-Davidson down from Ontario with the intention of embarking on a road tour of the United States, authorities said. They were accompanied by another Harley-riding pair who were on the road in front of them when the collision occurred. That couple was able to avoid Maguire’s ’94 Toyota 4Runner when it crossed the yellow line and barreled head-on into the victims.
Bystanders rushed to the scene to offer aid, including a U.S. Army soldier who had recently returned from Afghanistan, said Pfleging. The solider applied a tourniquet to one of the victims to stop the bleeding. Both the man and woman are expected to survive.