The three people who died in a vehicle crash on Highway 1 Sunday night were Dos Pueblos High School students, according to school officials and the CHP.
Senior Jake Curtis, 18, junior Michael Ochsner, 17, and sophomore Alexander Wood, 15, died from injuries suffered in a vehicle collision Sunday evening, according to Dos Pueblos High School principal Bill Woodard.
He issued a statement to the Goleta high school community on Monday morning.
“We want to extend our utmost sympathy to the family and friends of these three students. To support our school community, we have set up a compassion center today in our Wellness Center where grief counselors and partners from the Santa Barbara Response Network will be available to support our school community along with expert support.”
Woodard said any student or staff member can come to the Wellness Center at any time Monday if they need support or just want to be with others during this difficult time. The services will continue to be made available in the coming days for any student or staff member as needed.
“In my message to the DP students, I asked them to honor our students’ memory by striving to be extra-kind and compassionate, especially to those who are struggling with the loss of their friend and student,” Woodard said. “The DPHS community is close-knit and supportive, and I thank you all for keeping us and the family and friends impacted in your thoughts.”
Shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday, personnel from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol and other agencies were dispatched to a four-vehicle crash on Highway 1 near San Julian Road, county Fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.
The CHP Buellton Office, which is investigating the crash, determined that a 2007 Toyota Yaris traveling southbound entered the northbound lane and struck a 2024 Tesla Model 3 head-on.
That crash caused the Tesla to collide with another vehicle, a 2012 Audi Q5 that was traveling southbound. A 2002 Honda Accord traveling southbound was also hit by one of the involved vehicles, the CHP said.
All three people in the Toyota had fatal injuries in the crash, including Curtis of Goleta, who was the driver, and passengers Ochsner and Wood of Santa Barbara, the CHP said.
The boys were returning from lifeguarding in Jalama, sources said.
Both occupants of the Tesla were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with major injuries. The CHP identified them as Lompoc residents Hafez Nasr and Saghar Golpayegani.
The occupants of the other two vehicles had minor injuries.
“This was a tragedy, and local families have lost loved ones,” Buellton Area Commander Lieutenant Jason Bronson said in a statement. “We grieve with the families and work every day to prevent this loss of life in our communities.”
The CHP investigation is ongoing and people with additional information about the incident can contact the Buellton Area CHP Office at 805.691.6160.
Laura Capps, chair of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, plans to honor the families of those who died at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting.
Capps plans to ask for a moment of silence and she will read a statement:
“We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that took the young lives of three incredibly special people. They chose to spend their time working for our County to protect others — an extraordinary commitment at such a young age.
This is a devastating loss for their families, the Dos Pueblos community, and everyone across the County who knew and worked with them. Our hearts are with all who are grieving. As Supervisors, we honor their service and dedication to the public good.”