Community
Fatal Traffic Collision Update
Fatal Traffic Collision Update 
Case Number: SMPD25-00003904
On Friday, March 28, 2025, at approximately 5:03 p.m., officers from the Santa Maria Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in the 1900 block of South College Drive.
The investigation revealed that a vehicle exited a private parking lot located at 615 East Betteravia Road and entered College Drive, making an illegal turn directly into the path of a northbound motorcycle. The motorcyclist collided with the vehicle, was ejected, and sustained major injuries. He was transported by AMR ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The motorcyclist has been identified as William Martin Batiste, Jr., a 55-year-old Santa Maria resident.
The driver of the involved vehicle has been identified as Ashley Elise Wallace, a 35-year-old Santa Maria resident. Wallace sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the collision.
Following a preliminary investigation by the Santa Maria Police Department Traffic Unit, officers determined that Wallace was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. She was arrested for felony DUI (drugs) and subsequently booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail. The case has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review including other filing considerations.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Officer Neil Medrano with the SMPD Traffic Unit at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1139.
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
(805) 928 - 3781 ext. 2298
drios@cityofsantamaria.org
On Friday, March 28, 2025, at approximately 5:03 p.m., officers from the Santa Maria Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in the 1900 block of South College Drive.
The investigation revealed that a vehicle exited a private parking lot located at 615 East Betteravia Road and entered College Drive, making an illegal turn directly into the path of a northbound motorcycle. The motorcyclist collided with the vehicle, was ejected, and sustained major injuries. He was transported by AMR ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The motorcyclist has been identified as William Martin Batiste, Jr., a 55-year-old Santa Maria resident.
The driver of the involved vehicle has been identified as Ashley Elise Wallace, a 35-year-old Santa Maria resident. Wallace sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the collision.
Following a preliminary investigation by the Santa Maria Police Department Traffic Unit, officers determined that Wallace was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. She was arrested for felony DUI (drugs) and subsequently booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail. The case has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review including other filing considerations.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Officer Neil Medrano with the SMPD Traffic Unit at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1139.
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
(805) 928 - 3781 ext. 2298
drios@cityofsantamaria.org
Address/Location
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-928-3781