Jake Curtis dies in fatal Highway 1 crash near Lompoc

Jake Curtis dies in fatal Highway 1 crash near Lompoc

Fatal Highway 1 crash death of Jake Curtis – Obituary

Jake Curtis, an 18-year-old from Goleta, lost his life in a deadly multi-vehicle collision on Highway 1 near Rancho San Julian on Sunday evening.

Alongside Curtis, who was driving a 2007 Toyota Yaris, two other teenagers, Michael Ochsner, 17, and Alexander Wood, 15, both from Santa Barbara, also died at the scene.

The crash occurred just after 6 p.m. when the Yaris crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2024 Tesla Model 3 head-on. The Tesla was then pushed into a 2012 Audi Q5 traveling southbound, and a fourth vehicle, a 2002 Honda Accord, was involved as well.

Both Curtis and the two passengers were students at Dos Pueblos High School and worked as lifeguards for Santa Barbara County.

The Tesla’s occupants, 54-year-old Hafez Nasr and 53-year-old Saghar Golpayegani from Lompoc, suffered serious injuries; Nasr was taken by ambulance while Golpayegani was airlifted to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Drivers of the Audi and Honda, Luke Karmen, 16, and Daniel Switzer, 17, sustained minor injuries.

Authorities from the Buellton California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, and Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to the scene. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and officials urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Buellton CHP office. Highway 1 was temporarily closed but has since reopened.

This tragic accident has deeply affected local families and the community, as emphasized by Lieutenant Jason Bronson of the Buellton CHP.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by a similar accident, legal support is available through Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, who offer free consultations and work on a no-win, no-fee basis.