On February 21, 2026, at approximately 11:54 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Bunny Avenue and Blosser Road regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision.
Emergency personnel responded and rendered aid to the pedestrian, a 46-year-old female resident of Nipomo; however, she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver fled the scene immediately following the collision.
Officers continued their investigation and subsequently located the suspect vehicle. Officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Juan Ortiz Mendoza, a 30-year-old resident of Santa Maria.
Mendoza was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County North Jail on felony charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Hit and Run resulting in death.
The investigation remains ongoing.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Officer Nick Barton at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1358.
