December 15 Serious Injury Collision Turns Fatal
On December 15, 2021, around 10:00am, the Santa Barbara Police Department Combined Communications Center received numerous reports of a serious injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a BMW SUV at the intersection of East Canon Perdido Street and Quarantina Street.
Officers, City Fire Department personnel, and AMR Paramedics responded to the collision scene. Upon arriving, Officers located a seriously injured motorcyclist lying in the roadway who was barely breathing. Fire Department and Paramedics rendered aid and transported the motorcyclist to Cottage Hospital for treatment.
The initial investigation revealed the BMW SUV pulled into the intersection of East Canon Perdido Street and Quarantina Street, driving south. At this same time a motorcyclist was riding east on East Canon Perdido Street. Both vehicles collided with each other. The motorcyclist was ejected and landed approximately 50 feet from the initial area of impact. The force from the collision dislodged the helmet prior to the motorcyclist landing on the roadway.
The Critical Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the scene of the collision to conduct further investigation. Tragically, on December 28, 2021, the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries while at the hospital. His death appears to be directly related to the injures sustained during the collision occurring on December 15, 2021.
This case is still currently under investigation. The decedent was identified as 57-year-old Santa Barbara resident, James B. Miller. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in this collision at this time.
Traffic safety is a priority for our department. The Santa Barbara Police Department was recently awarded a grant for $230,000 from the Office of Transportation Safety. These funds will enable over a hundred additional traffic enforcement related details to take place over the next year. Officers working these special details are solely responsible for conducting traffic enforcement through education and DUI prevention. This helps to ensure vehicle drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are safe while out and about in our wonderful city.
Many serious collisions can be avoided! Always drive with due regard, absolutely do not drive while intoxicated, and make sure every occupant always wears a seatbelt. Do not drive distracted and always pay attention to the road.
When operating a motorcycle, it is required by law that a securely fastened, Department of Transportation approved helmet must be worn. The law requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a bicycle helmet and it is recommended those over the age of 18 to wear one as well.