16-year-old boy dies after crash on Highway 101 near Orcutt

A 16-year-old boy from Oxnard died after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near Orcutt on Saturday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At approximately 6 p.m., personnel from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, CHP and American Medical Response were dispatched to the scene on southbound Highway 101 at Cat Canyon Road.

Rosalio Gutierrez, 46, of Parlier, was driving a blue 2004 Toyota Camry east on Cat Canyon Road, attempting to make a left turn onto northbound Highway 101, CHP Officer Benjamin Smith said Monday.

Gutierrez accelerated at an unknown speed onto the highway and into the path of a silver 2002 Honda Accord driven by Francisco J. Gomez, 50, of Oxnard.

Gomez’ vehicle, traveling at 65 mph, slammed into the left side of the Toyota.

A 16-year-old boy in the rear left passenger seat had critical injuries and was taken by AMR ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. He later died of his injuries, according to the CHP.

Gomez and Blandina Gomez, 38, of Oxnard, along with an 11-year-old girl from Oxnard received minor injuries and were taken to Marian for treatment along with Gutierrez, who also had minor injuries.

Drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as factors in the crash, according to CHP investigators.

However, CHP investigators were looking into the 16-year-old boy’s non-use or improper use of the seat belt, Smith said.

Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 12:01 PM.