Full Notification

On March 8, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., SMPD Officers responded to a reported injury collision at the intersection of Bradley Road and Betteravia Road. Upon arrival, officers located multiple damaged vehicles in the intersection and began an investigation.

The investigation determined that a vehicle stopped northbound on Bradley Road had been rear-ended by a pickup truck. Following a brief confrontation between the drivers, the pickup truck struck the lead vehicle multiple additional times, pushing it into the intersection.

The suspect vehicle then drove recklessly through the intersection and collided with another vehicle traveling westbound, which subsequently struck a fourth vehicle. The driver responsible for the collisions fled the scene. One of the involved drivers was transported by ambulance from the scene due to injuries which were later determined to be non-life threatening.

Officers later located the suspect vehicle at a residence in Vandenberg Village. The driver, Ronen Lee Andersen, 45, of Lompoc, was taken into custody and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and felony hit and run. Andersen was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, is encouraged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2277.
 
Authored By: Todd Logan, Lieutenant
                        Santa Maria Police Department
                        Santa Maria, Ca., 93455
                        (805) 928-3781 ext. 2277