Santa Barbara police say a man already on probation for DUI is facing additional charges after a serious crash Sunday night.
It happened at around 11:30 p.m.
Police say an off-duty officer leaving a convenience store in the first block of S. Milpas St. noticed a Kia speed by, followed by another vehicle a distance behind.
They say the driver of the Kia apparently didn’t notice a roundabout coming up until it was too late to slow down and the car went into a skid, traveling about 78 yards before striking the concrete planter in the middle of the roundabout.
The off-duty officer called for emergency crews and began to render aid.
The driver of the vehicle that was following the Kia also stopped to help. Police say it was determined that vehicle had been the victim of a hit-and-run collision with the Kia prior to the crash at the roundabout.
Two female passengers were reportedly able to get out of the wrecked car on their own, but three males had to be extricated. All five people were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Police identified the driver as Joseph David Hernandez, 23, of Oxnard. They suspect drugs and possibly alcohol were factors in the crash.
Hernandez, who reportedly is still in the hospital, faces charges of felony hit-and-run, possession of methamphetamine, driving with a suspended license, felony drunk driving with injury, and violating the terms of his probation.
