A wood barrier on Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf was damaged after a driver crashed into it. Caution tape surrounds the area where a delivery van hit multiple vehicles and pedestrians, sending six people to the hospital on Saturday. Police ruled the collision accidental.
A wood barrier on Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf was damaged after a driver crashed into it. Caution tape surrounds the area where a delivery van hit multiple vehicles and pedestrians, sending six people to the hospital on Saturday. Police ruled the collision accidental. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

The Santa Barbara Police Department has ruled that the crash at Stearns Wharf on Saturday that sent six people to the hospital was accidental, suspending any further criminal investigation.  

Six people, including two pedestrians, were taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Saturday afternoon after a delivery van driver lost control and hit 10 vehicles, most of which were parked. Occupants of a four-door sedan were injured. 

The van then struck two pedestrians before hitting a wood barrier at the end of the wharf, police said.

Sgt. Bryan Kerr said injuries were moderate but non-life threatening. 

Tire marks are visible leading up to where a driver hit the wood barrier of Stearns Wharf. Santa Barbara Police Department has ruled that the crash that sent six people to the hospital was accidental, suspending any further criminal investigation. 
Tire marks are visible leading up to where a driver hit the wood barrier of Stearns Wharf. Santa Barbara Police Department has ruled that the crash that sent six people to the hospital was accidental, suspending any further criminal investigation.  Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

The van driver was transported to the hospital because he was experiencing a medical emergency, Kerr said. It is unclear if the driver’s medical emergency is what caused the collision.  

Investigators ruled the incident an accidental traffic collision and say drugs and alcohol were not involved.

Tire marks are visible on the wharf in the area of the crash, and yellow caution tape is draped near damaged wood barriers and railings. Several vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.