A teenager who was stabbed Wednesday night in the Goleta Valley died of his injuries, and investigators are searching for his assailant.

Deputies responded shortly after 8:45 p.m. to San Simeon Drive near Turnpike Road, where they found the 17-year-old boy down in the roadway, according to Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

“When deputies arrived, they learned that a victim had been stabbed, and that several male subjects had fled the area prior to their arrival,” Zick said.

The suspect were last seen headed north on Turnpike Road.

The teen was taken by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he died less than an hour later, Zick said.

His name was not released pending notification of relatives.

Sheriff’s deputies, a sheriff’s K9 unit, and allied agencies cordoned off the area, which is near San Marcos High School and the Turnpike Shopping Center.

They searched for the suspects who fled, but they were not located, Zick said, adding that as of mid-morning Thursday, no arrests had been made.

The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to contact sheriff’s detectives at 805.681.4150.

Anyone preferring to remain anonymous can provide information by calling the sheriff’s tip line at 805.681.4171, or online at sbsheriff.org.