Man Killed in Traffic Accident

[UPDATE, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.]: The victim was first reported as a UCSB student, but university administrators said their records indicate Gorder was not enrolled at UCSB.

[ORIGINAL STORY]: On Paradise Road near Red Rock, a 2002 Ford Mustang went over the side of a cliff killing the driver — 21-year-old Reed Gorder — and severely injuring an unidentified female passenger around 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 20. California Highway Patrol received a call at 3:40 p.m. and located the vehicle 300 feet down the cliff at Osos Road, which connects Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.

Gorder was found trapped inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The female passenger was transported to Cottage Hospital for emergency care.

California Highway Patrol PIO and Court Officer Jonathan Gutierrez said the vehicle traveled from Paradise Road to Old River Road to Osos Road. “It went down on a fire access road, Old River Road,” said Gutierrez.

At this point, it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision. The investigation is ongoing, headed by investigating officer Butler.