Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE
 
Traffic collision claims the life of local motorcyclist. 
 
SANTA BARBARA, CA – February 16, 2017
 
On 02/15/2017 at approximately 1821 hours, Santa Barbara Police Officers, Santa Barbara City Fire Fighters and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to an injury traffic collision located in the 1300 block of E. Cabrillo Blvd.  Upon arrival Officers determined the collision involved a white Honda Accord and a Silver Yamaha FZ09 motorcycle.  All parties involved were still on scene when emergency personnel arrived.  During the investigation it was determined the injuries to the motorcyclist were critical and he was rushed to the hospital by AMR paramedics.  Additional resources were needed for the collision investigation and the Santa Barbara Police Department Collision Reconstruction Team led by Sgt. Mike Brown responded to handle. 
 
Their preliminary investigation indicates the white Honda Accord driven by Goleta resident, Coredareo Nelson, age 29 was parked on the south curb of E. Cabrillo Blvd near the volleyball courts.  The motorcycle driven by Santa Barbara resident and Santa Barbara City College student, Luke Stein, age 23 was traveling east bound on Cabrillo Blvd heading toward Montecito.  Nelson, driving the white Honda Accord entered the east bound lanes of Cabrillo Blvd violating the right of way of the silver Yamaha motorcycle driven by Stein.  Stein was ejected from the motorcycle during the collision.  Speed does not appear to be a factor in the collision. 
 
Stein was seriously injured and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for internal injuries.  He was immediately taken in to surgery, however later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.   
 
Nelson was also transported to Santa Barbara Cottage hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injures.   During the investigation it was determined Nelson was possibly under the influence of marijuana at the time of the collision.  A subsequent DUI investigation was conducted and Nelson was arrested and taken into custody at the conclusion of the DUI investigation.  He was medically cleared from the hospital and transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail where he was booked for a violation of 191.5(a) PC, Gross Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; 23152(f) VC, DUI Drugs/Marijuana; and 12500(a) VC, Unlicensed Driver.    His bail amount was $100,000. 
 
The Santa Barbara Police Department asks if anyone from the public has any additional information related to the collision please contact Traffic Investigator E. Ragsdale at (805) 897-3719.  At this time no further information related to the traffic collision is being release.
 
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Joshua Morton Sgt, Community Services / PIO / Facilities / Fleet City of Santa Barbara, Police Department (805) 897-2332 | [email protected] SantaBarbaraCA.gov