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Wrong-Way Driver Thwarted on Highway 101 at Summerland
About 11:26 p.m. Tuesday, California Highway Patrol dispatch broadcast a be-on-the-lookout call for a wrong-way driver traveling northbound on Highway 101 southbound. Two CHP officers responded with emergency lights and siren from Highway 101 southbound, just north of North Padaro Lane.
Within two minutes, CHP officers approached South Padaro Lane; they observed headlights approaching from the opposite direction. With emergency lights flashing, the officers flashed the spotlight back and forth in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
The wrong-way vehicle, a black Ford Explorer, continued past the officers at about 70 mph and continued traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.
The CHP officers exited the freeway at Santa Claus Lane and entered Highway 101 northbound. They attempted to get parallel with the Ford from the northbound side of the freeway. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department deputies were traveling southbound, north of the Ford. The sheriff’s department started a traffic break to alert and slow traffic traveling southbound of the freeway.
The deputies observed the Ford approach from the opposite direction, in the center divider, at 25 to 30 mph. The Ford swerved directly toward the deputies, who took evasive action and were able to avoid a traffic collision.
The Ford continued northbound in the southbound traffic lanes. Deputies were able to get into position to parallel the Ford from the northbound side of the freeway. The deputies said the Ford was traveling in excess of 80 mph.
The CHP officers stopped southbound traffic on the freeway, just north of Sheffield Drive. They then observed the Ford deliberately turn left and travel off the freeway. It came to rest in a ditch along the freeway shoulder, just south of the Evans Avenue on-ramp.
Deputies and officers stopped several vehicles traveling southbound on the freeway, which would have been in the direct path of the wrong-way driver.
They contacted the driver, identified as Nora Angelica Reyes of Santa Barbara. Officers observed obvious signs of intoxication and placed Reyes under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Reyes drove the wrong way on the freeway for about five minutes and traveled about five miles before being caught. There were no injuries or fatalities.
When questioned, Reyes told officers she had been drinking alcohol at a friend’s house in Carpinteria earlier in the evening and was on her way home to Santa Barbara. Reyes was arrested for reckless driving while evading officers, wrong-way driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
— James Richards is a public information officer for the California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Area.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 08:48 AM
Why would she keep driving after she saw that she was going the wrong way? She must have been really drunk. That being said there are a couple off ramps in Carpinteria that can easily lead a person onto the wrong way.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 09:21 AM
Whats up with the wrong way drivers lately? Strange month in SB.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 10:11 AM
She should be charged with attempted murder of a police officer.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 11:49 AM
You know, some of these wrong way drivers are drunk and/or oblivious but some of these on and off ramps are a bit confusing. We all need to pay better attention. Turn off that #*%& cell phone! Stop and sober up on the side of the road. Think. Grow up. Santa Barbara is no longer paradise if it is safety hell.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 12:13 PM
I don’t know who first called in the wrong way driver report, but whether a citizen or a CHP officer, thanks to them and to the quick response of the CHP officers. It sounds like another fatality or more was avoided.
Thanks to all our safety and emergency personnel for all they do to protect the general public.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 12:21 PM
How about a PIT maneuver by the cop? Blocking the freeway just isn’t enough. Stop these idiots before they kill someone AGAIN! Spike strip them or something. Don’t just let them drive till something happens. Last time flashing lights by the police proved to be deadly. It’s getting to the point that it’s frightening to drive on the highway at night since you never know when one of these drunk morons gonna drive the wrong way and slam into you. You die and they walk away from the accident almost unharmed. This person’s drivers license better be revoked.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 12:59 PM
It’s true - some of the on/off ramps are a bit confusing. I was with someone who ALMOST drove onto the southbound offramp at Turnpike going North. It was early, early in the morning on the way to the airport for an early plane, and was still dark out. I was the passenger and said, “NO! NO!” and we corrected, but I agree with Gigi - there’s no excuse for these drunks, but even a stone cold sober person could do it by accident if they’re not in familiar territory. How about some flashing “WRONG WAY” signs or something? Sounds ridiculous, but if it saves a life ...
I think it’s worth looking in to.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 02:57 PM
i don;t are how drunk you are. you have to have brain damage if you go the wrong way for that long with cops trying to stop you. if you gave me an iv drip of jagermeister for 5 hours i still wouldn’t be that stupid. she should spend at least a year in jail and have a lifetime revocation of her license. inexcusable.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 03:03 PM
A commuter rail could solve a lot of these drunk driving problems.
» wrote on 11.18.09 @ 03:45 PM
I think all cars should be equipped with breathalizers. It may inconvenience most- but it would be for the greater good and almost totally wipe out drunk driving.
Mesa Dan
» wrote on 11.19.09 @ 06:05 AM
It’s simple - friends don’t left friends drive drunk! Why didn’t someone take away the drunk’s car keys!
In my opinion, the CHP saved her and possible others life while placing their life in danger.
Sober people don’t have trouble reading “WRONG WAY” “DO NOT ENTER” signs! Stop giving the drunks an excuse!
» wrote on 11.19.09 @ 10:51 AM
Still no mugshot, gawd.
» wrote on 11.19.09 @ 10:57 AM
I agree, she should be charged for attempted murder of an officer. According to the article that is exactly what she was attempting to do.
» wrote on 11.19.09 @ 12:19 PM
you know those “Do Not Enter” spikes that keep you from going “in” the “out” driveway? Put a version of these at the offramps!
» wrote on 11.19.09 @ 12:58 PM
This woman had it coming.
» wrote on 11.19.09 @ 04:38 PM
Drunk driving is pretty much a death wish for yourself and/or others, and should be punished accordingly. I will, however be praying for Nora and her children. We all make mistakes Nora and you can move forward.
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