Suspicious Vehicle Accident

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Around 11PM Sunday, a call went out about a possible vehicle accident on the NB 101 freeway near the Salinas Street off ramp in Santa Barbara.

Initially, SBPD cruised by Old Coast Highway and discovered that indeed a vehicle had crashed through the fence, and a truck was discovered down the ditch in thick brush next to the freeway.

No one was found with the vehicle. Police set up a perimeter to search for a possible body or at least someone hurt. A K9 unit was brought in and police used a loud horn to call out to the suspected driver of the truck. At one point, police called out to anyone that was in the brush, that they needed to come out with their hands up or the dog would be released.

Additionally, Santa Barbara City Fire was called out to assist SBPD with thermal technology to help locate anyone that may have been hurt in the thick brush. As of yet, no one has been found near the crash site.

Police are still investigating the mysterious crash.

Anyone with any information may contact the Santa Barbara Police Department.

 

 

 

**UPDATE**

Ronald Anthony Beltran, age 39, of Santa Barbara, was arrested for attempted murder, auto theft, hit & run, and resisting or delaying an officer following an altercation with a family member.  The suspect and victim reside together in the same household.

On January 5, 2014 at 11:30 p.m., officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department responded to a call of a vehicle stolen from a residence on the 1100 block of N. Milpas Street.  Upon arrival the victim, a 46-year old male relative of the suspect, reported that Beltran had stolen his truck.  The victim also informed the investigating officers that Beltran had stabbed him during an altercation that occurred earlier in the day.

Beltran was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on the aforementioned charges and is being held without bail.  Photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Beltran would not reveal his motive for stabbing his relative; thus far the attack appears to have been unprovoked.  Investigation indicates that he took the victim’s truck in order to provoke another confrontation with the victim.  Relatives stated that Beltran had been drinking heavily prior to the incident.