Two Die in Wrong-Way Collision on Highway 101 in Goleta

» RIP on 11.08.09 @ 05:22 PM

You’ll be missed Marcos

» SBres on 11.08.09 @ 08:14 PM

What a horribly sad story. I can’t imagine how horrific it must have been for the parents to watch their children get into a car accident. My deepest condolences to the family!

» Be responsible! on 11.08.09 @ 10:07 PM

I cannot believe how irresponsible it was for that underage drinker to get on the freeway the wrong way at top speed.  Who let him have that alcohol in the first place?  These are life and death decisions people!  Life is not cheap, we cannot be so flamboyant with the preciousness of life, wake up people!

» Temporal on 11.09.09 @ 09:58 AM

What is wrong with this world of DUI individuals. He should receive the same time that the court system gave Ashley Johnigan, their lives were just as valuable as the DA Investigator was. Two family members taken from their family. Wake you and we need to stop these DUI going the wrong way!!!!!

» sanmarcosfamily on 11.09.09 @ 11:34 AM

I can’t imagine the devastation of watching your kids be smashed into on the freeway. I was horrified just thinking about what the parents are going through, the worst possible nightmare! This underage, drunken fool has wrecked so many lives, including his own, with his carelessnes and stupidity. This tragedy will know no justice, no matter how many years he is locked away for.

» Anon on 11.09.09 @ 12:59 PM

Richard is a good person and obviously made a Terrible mistake, it’s not like anyone would mean to do this hence the name ACCIDENT, but for you people to come throw worthless comments on here is just obsured, we all feel bad for the family and what happened but stuff like this happens all day every day so count your blessings it wasn’t you that died or made a wrong turn. Apologies to the family but you got to look at what actually happened here. It’s not like someone intentionally shot or stabbed these people they could have died driving the same direction on the road, I’ve had friends/family get stabbed and shot. That is intentional harm a car accident is an accident.

» Ugh!!!!! on 11.09.09 @ 02:16 PM

To Anon -

This car crash was the result of your drunk friend’s willful conduct. Quit hiding behind the “that’s why they call it an accident” B.S.
Two people are dead, two are seriously injured, and a family is going to grieve for the rest of their lives becasue of your friend’s selfish, moronic, dispicable behavior, and no amount of whining and crying on a blog message board is going to change that. Ever.

» :( on 11.09.09 @ 02:28 PM

Richard made a horrible mistake; but we all make bad mistakes. He ruined his whole life and took two lives away. I can’t imagine the guilt he is going through right now. He is one of the sweetest guys I have ever met. He didnt mean to kill those two people. It was an accident. My prayers go out to you rick <3 and the other family.

» :( on 11.09.09 @ 02:59 PM

to ugh!!! and Jr

A accident is and accident no matter how bad it is. He never meant to hurt this family and kill two people. We all make stupid mistakes and sometimes we dont lean from them. Many teenagers and adults like to get drunk or do drugs. All he was looking for was a good time. You don’t know why he was drinking that night, he could of been depressed and trying to cover it up. People die everyday in different ways. Its sad to know that two loved ones were killed and also that a young man took two lives. His life is forever ruined. I pray for you Richard and all the other people out there who have made the same mistake as you. We all still love you no matter what. Remember God does not judge on how bad of a sin you did, a sin is a sin. I also pray for the lives that were taken away that night.

» DUI 8 days earlier for wrong way underage driver?! on 11.09.09 @ 03:24 PM

Thanks UGH! for the link showing this 20 year old KID has a very recent history of driving drunk! Seriously unbelievable. To drink is a decision, to drive is a decison, to drink and drive is no accident it is like playing with a loaded gun! Old enough to make adult decisions, though not old enough legally to drink, this kid was WRECKLESS and guilty of vehiclular manslaughter! Drunk and fire a gun or drunk and drive…same thing. No mercy for those people or anyone who was with him and didn’t take his keyes! Accessories to murder.

» Monica Flores on 11.09.09 @ 03:30 PM

My prayers go out to both families. To die because of someones selfish actions is so horrific.
To: Anon,
your friend took my friends grandmothers life! When someone decides to drive under the influence the results of there actions are NO longer “accidents.” “Good” people aren’t selfish like your friend when he decided to take two innocents lifes!!

Rest In Peace, Macrina O’Campo & Marcos Arredondo. You’ll forever be in our hearts.

» SB parent on 11.09.09 @ 03:49 PM

A 20 yr old drinking is illegal. To drive with alcohol in your system is illegal. To be driving with alcohol in your system AND being underage IS illegal. What he did is wrong no matter how “nice” or “great” he is. IF he was having a bad day, that’s not an excuse. If he was depressed, that’s not an excuse. If he was out partying, that’s not an excuse. HE NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH ALCOHOL IN HIS SYSTEM. PERIOD.
He made a choice to drink. He chose to drive. He killed people with those decisions and should pay for those choices. That’s a problem with people today! Nobody wants to take responsibility for their actions or parents try to make excuses for their children. Let them fall and learn from their decisions. It’s time to grow up!

My thoughts are with the Arredondo and Ocampo families.

» take the keys on 11.09.09 @ 04:06 PM

This is so incredibly sad. Please use it as a reminder of how dangerous drinking and driving can be.  Never hesitate to take the keys of someone you see that may be a danger to themselves or others.  Usually the drunk driver survives because they are so sauced up.  It can all happen in an instant, and it can also be avoided.  :(

» _ on 11.09.09 @ 04:29 PM

i can not think of a more tragic situation.  my deepest condolences go out to the family of these two undeserving victims.  the lives of their family and loved ones will never be the same.  it is easy to say that justice will be served by prosecuting rick as a murderer to the fullest extent to the law.  but those of us who have ever met rick know that he would never in a million years intentionally harm someone else.  like countless of other 20 year old boys who think they are invincible, he made a stupid decision that he will probably have to pay for by spending the rest of his life in jail. it is hard for me to see the justice in that.
thinking of you rick<3

» Tragedy on 11.09.09 @ 04:43 PM

I am deeply sorry to the families and friends affected in this tragedy. It’s awful to lose someone you care about, especially an 18 year who had just begun his life. Rick is one of my good friends, and I know he is a good person. He made an horrible decision which resulted in devastation, and he will have to pay for the consequences of his actions. To the families of the victims: I know it doesn’t bring back your loved one, but please know that Rick has a good heart, and I’m sure he is deeply sorry for the pain he has caused your family. My prayers are with all the family and friends involved, including Ricks.

As for murder, I don’t think so. He did not have a specific aim to kill, nor did he act with practical certainty that harm will result, so first and second degree murder are out. And accessories to murder doesn’t apply either. Free will: the law cannot convict anyone of a crime for inaction unless the inaction itself is prohibited (whether they should have or not does not apply to the law.)

» Drinking under the influence is NOT an accident on 11.09.09 @ 05:19 PM

No matter where your sympathies are placed, it is very clear that DRINKING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.

My sympathies go to the families and friends of the victims, who would be here if it weren’t for Richard’s negligence.

» Ugh!!!!! on 11.09.09 @ 05:36 PM

To Tragedy:

If this is the same person who was arrested for DUI on 10/30/09, the a charge of second degree murder is most certainly NOT “out”.
That prior arrest can be used as evidence of “implied malice” - the procecution can use it to show that the defendant knew the dangers of drunk-driving but chose to get behind the wheel anyway.
Of course, it’s all up to the DA, but just so you know ...

» MADD on 11.09.09 @ 08:18 PM

I dont care how nice of a person you are, you deserve to suffer your whole life for what you did. My heart goes out Macrina and Marcos, such a young boy. There is never an excuse to drink and drive EVER. RIP

» two sides on 11.09.09 @ 09:44 PM

All of you people commenting on here on how bad driving drunk is, think of your college days. I GUARANTEE you drove drunk at least one time in your life. What about coming home from having a couple glasses of wine with your wife/girlfriend? Everyone has done it, it is just a matter if they get in a crash or happen to get caught.I feel so very sorry for both of these families. For the lives that were taken, you will forever be remembered and missed dearly. For the driver, i know how shameful and hurt he is feeling, knowing that he killed two innocent people. For the families of the deceased, my prayers will be with you. But people, please remember that Richard has a family too, that is grieving because of what their son did.

» Anon on 11.09.09 @ 09:55 PM

Did it ever occur to people posting these judgmental and accusation comments that their input is completely uncalled for? It’s thoughtful to give the victims’ families condolence but beyond that, it’s not your place to point fingers and make such ignorant and insensitive posts?
For instance this statement depicts how ill-informed some of these people are, “...That poor kid was probably looking in his rear-view mirror at the cop’s lights when he crashed.” ..Head on collision, Northbound meets Southbound, clearly cops were in front of him, not in his rear-view mirror.
Aside from that, I am one of Rick’s many friends and as anyone that knows him would agree with, he would never intentionally injure someone. People make mistakes and need guidance to learn from them and move forward.
As a common courtesy I do not feel like this is an appropriate place to leave accusation remarks, granted I know he could not be more remorseful for what happened.
Instead, leave condolences for the victims’ and their families and pray others will too learn from this.

» wow on 11.10.09 @ 12:45 AM

its sad to know what a messed up world we have and all the messed up people too. im sure richard never meant for this to happen, he is gone. his whole life is over. and so are 2 other lives. i have alot of sympothy for richard and his friends and familes. its sad that noone will understand his side of the story, other than his friends. these people are to skrewd up. may the memories of the lives that were taken away live on. and may they rest in peace. and may all my prayers go out to rick

» Angry on 11.10.09 @ 06:58 AM

To the anon preaching this as an “accident” get real!!! It’s not an accident to be so plastered and to get behind a vechile while driving on the wrong side of the freeway what is wrong with you!! Innocent lives were taken away by this “accident” while the criminal gets to walk away freely… With all the laws AGAINST drunk driving he needs to pay the price of a full sentence!!! Justice will be served

» Pull through girls!!! on 11.10.09 @ 09:02 AM

i don’t know how much information you are allowed to give out but if anybody has any updates on the girls conditions i would like to know. hopefully they pull through soon and make speedy recoveries! god bless.

» SBlifer on 11.10.09 @ 09:30 AM

Reading all thess comments coming to the murders defense make me sick!

» may they RIP on 11.10.09 @ 03:42 PM

It is sad to hear about this tragedy. 
It is rather dificult to believe what happened .
My condolences and much needed prayers to the families.
My family knows both Macrina Ocampo and Marcos Arredondo.
I hope the sisters get well soon, and hope that god gives
them the strength to cope with the death of their brother.
2 seperate families are suffering the loss of their loved ones.
As far as the person who caused these deaths,
I am sorry but I can not and will not feel sorry for you.
Richard you decided to drink and drive therefore you ARE
responsible..
I was taught that all of our actions have consequences.
Your action was to get behind that wheel while under the influence,
the outcome was the death of 2 innocent lives,,
Your consequence will be : having to face jail time and
knowing that you took someones life.

» SBgirl on 11.10.09 @ 05:35 PM

To Anon and Tragedy

You can go on and on about what a great guy Richard is but that doesn’t change the fact that he KILLED two people.  Accident you say?  I think not.  DARE is taught in schools to kids in 5th grade up until grad night.  You can’t possibly tell me he didn’t know drinking underage and that driving under the influence are illegal.  Even my 11 year old daughter knows better than that. 

You say he was having a tough time, guess what so is the rest of America.  We are in the middle of a recession.  Everyone is depressed and worried about how to pay for the upcoming holiday gifts.  But we have better sense than drinking our sorrows away and then getting behind the wheel.

While you are right that he can’t be tried as a murdered, that doesn’t exclude him from being one.  He didn’t kill these people with intent but he did NOTHING to prevent this from happening.  He knew what he was doing was wrong and that his intoxication could cause and accident,yet he still got behind the wheel.  Two people have lost there lives while he is still alive.  Let’s not forget the severely injured survivors.  Part of his punishment should be that he pay for all their future medical expenses and care. 

Y’all keep telling yourselves whatever helps you sleep at night, since you feel you have to be behind your friend.  But what he did is wrong any way you look at it and there is no justification for it.

» SB Local, Seriously... DUI Supporters/Defenders? on 11.10.09 @ 09:47 PM

My prayers are with the families of Marcos and Ms. Ocampo.

This is a senseless tragedy that could have been prevented if the driver, “Rick”, had not chosen to BREAK THE LAW. And not just break the law, but do it TWICE within ten days. This is insane.
But wait..gets worse…. he has “friends” defending him.

How can he be defended by you “friends”? Are you ignorant of what the laws are in the California?
Not only was he ignorant once, BUT TWICE!
Had he never heard of drunk driving or the fact that if you drink and drive it is a bad thing?

If you were all great “friends” of his, why did you not “help” him with your great compassion and convince him to never drink and drive again? If he had made “better choices” two people would still be alive and two children would not be in critical condition.

You “feel for him”? What do you “feel for him”?
How can you support a person who knowingly got behind the wheel of a car after drinking after being arrested for the same thing? And don’t claim “Oh, he’s just 20.”
So… I know 10 year olds that know you DO NOT drink and drive, it is a against the law and you could hurt people.

Would you still be supporting him if he had killed your family member?

Let’s look at one of your support messages.
“two sides” wrote on 11.09.09 @ 08:44 PM

All of you people commenting on here on how bad driving drunk is, think of your college days. I GUARANTEE you drove drunk at least one time in your life. What about coming home from having a couple glasses of wine with your wife/girlfriend? Everyone has done it, it is just a matter if they get in a crash or happen to get caught.

Seriously?  This is your defense?
Is this what you tell your friends?
It’s OK, everyone does it, just don’t get caught.

Some of your “pro-Rick” responses make me slightly ill.

The Santa Barbara and San Marcos communities will forever be touched by this incident.
Please help support the families of Marcos and Macrina in their time of need.

» RIP AMA and MARCOS on 11.11.09 @ 09:36 AM

To the idiots that keep saying this was just an accident!! No it wasn’t. Maybe the people that keep sticking up for him, are the same MORONS that gave this under aged drinker the booze to begin with. Are you the same IDIOTS that gave it to him the week before when he got that DUI? Its not just his fault, it’s also the fault of the person who got this UNDER AGED drinker the beer, and to whoever didn’t stop him from driving. Ya he has to live with the choices he made, BUT WHO CARES about his feelings. We will never get to see “AMA” smile again, taste her food, hear her laugh, dance with her, or just talk to her. She was important to so many people! We are all heartbroken! So please, if you really feel bad for are family, then don’t stick up for that murderer! It makes it worse for us to see someone stick up for someone who has taken Ama and Marcos away from us. Thats your choice to stick by him, but do it in your own town! To all the Family, I love you all. Be strong!!! She’s an angel in heaven now, instead of one here on earth!

» AnotherMother on 11.11.09 @ 11:30 AM

To “so sad” and the other “Rick” defenders -
Please, for the love of God, shut up.
This town is reeling from this tragedy. Take your pity party back to Tustin - we don’t want to hear about it.
And, FYI, any possible sympathy that anyone MIGHT have had for “Rick” or his family has been completely negated by your ridiculous offerings on this blog. You have, with your insatiable need to see you words in print, done FAR more damage to “his side of the story” than you could ever imagine. You make me sick.

» Coffee on 11.11.09 @ 02:42 PM

Once you get ONE dui you are forced to sign a waiver claiming that if you hurt someone in ANOTHER dui, you are essentially going to jail for a long time.

I knew Rick, he was a real nice guy, and I’d agree that he never meant for this.  But he deserved what’s coming to him.  Driving and killing cannot go unpunished especially with the other dui he acquired the week before.

I know it might sound harsh coming from a friend of his, but the bottom line is when he is still alive in jail in 10 years, the two killed will be decomposing six feet under.  No amount of intense psychological anguish can bring them back.  It’s sad that his life is altered for the worse, but overall it’s for the better, as it might persuade some of his friends to not follow in his footsteps.

And to Anon and all others trying to play this off like it’s just bad luck or an accident, I would say that you people need to grow up and realize that life is a set of choices.

We are all serving a master, the question we have to make is which master we serve.

» Macrina & Marcos, forever loved & missed... on 11.11.09 @ 10:03 PM

REST IN PARADISE MACRINA OCAMPO AND MARCOS!! you will be forever remembered and loved! My condolences to both families, whos lives are now forever changed due to an irresponsible man. NO Richards intentions were not to kill anyone, but there are no excuses. it isnt hard to call a taxi or a friend to pick you up, but the last thing you do when you drink is get in the car, because horrible things like this happen. And for someone who was arrested only 8 days before the crash for a DUI, it is clear he isnt so innocent, and he is a danger, he needs to be in jail and the court should look into alcohol counseling. He obviously didnt learn the first time, he deserves to sit in jail and think about his actions for the rest of his life because he just changed the rest of so many peoples lives. To use the excuse “richard made a big mistake” to justify what he did is completely insane..he drove drunk once, he didnt learn and 8 days later he did it again this time taking two innocent peoples lives away, and seriously injuring two more.

i cannot imagine what the family members and friends of both victims are going through, my heart goes out to you, i am so sorry…

» ? on 11.12.09 @ 02:21 PM

out of curiosity why havent the comments been updated for the past 4 days?

[Noozhawk note: All comments posted to this story — and all stories — have been activated. We monitor them throughout each day.]

» Richard Supporters on 11.12.09 @ 08:19 PM

STOP SUPPORTING THIS MORON! HE KILLED 2 PEOPLE. HE DESERVES TO SIT IN JAIL THE REST OF HIS LIFE WHILE MY FRIEND IS IN THE GROUND! AND FOR THE JERK THAT SAID PLEASE THINK OF “RICKS” FAMLIY THEY HAVE ALSO LOST THEIR SON….UH HELLO SMART ONE HE IS IN JAIL…..A L I V E WHILE MARCOS IS NOT. HIS PARENTS CAN GO AND VISIT HIM IN HIS CELL WHERE HE BELONGS MARCOS’S PARENTS HAVE TO VISIT A GRAVE

» IMissYouMarcos=( on 11.25.09 @ 08:06 PM

ok if yu quyz think it waznt richardsz fault..thatsz a bunch of bullcrap. he shouldnt of been drinkinq.and i know accidents happen but drivinq on the wronq side of the freeway? that is not an accident. maybe yu think richard wasnt to blame but really him and the person who qave him the alcohol or druqsz are the onesz to be blamed..its all their fault we lost two very qreat people that were loved and cared for by so many people…i havent talked to marcos for 3 yearsz and when i heard thisz i broke down the first thinq i did was run to my room and think of all the fun timesz i had with him…everyday i sit in my room thinkinq of him and i start to cry…he was the only person i could talk to and now hes qone and its all richardsz fault…

» Eric on 01.19.10 @ 10:26 AM

that was my aunt who died in that crash RIP TIA MACRINA