Three Killed in High-Speed Crash on Cliff Drive

Santa Barbara city fire and police personnel responded at 8:49 p.m. Tuesday night to Cliff Drive and La Marina Street, where a white 1997 Lexus sedan speeding east on Cliff Drive lost control, struck the curb, a fire hydrant, a power pole, and a tree, and flew through the air before landing in a large shrub in the front yard of a residence, killing three young adults and critically injuring a fourth. A witness estimated the car was travelling at 85-100 mph.

Paramedics transported the injured man, who was the front seat passenger, to the hospital. His condition was unknown Wednesday morning.

Sgt. Riley Harwood described the scene as chaotic. The collision led to a brief power outage and prolonged road closures in the area. The identities of the deceased victims — two men and one woman, all in their 20s — were not available, pending notification of their families.

Authorities remained on the scene overnight and said it is unclear if drugs and alcohol were a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.