5 killed, 1 critically injured in suspected DUI crash in Santa Maria

Five people were killed and another was critically injured early Sunday in a single-vehicle crash in Santa Maria.

Personnel from the Santa Maria Fire Department, Police Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the incident at the intersection of Broadway (Highway 135) and South Miller Street at approximately 1:40 a.m.

The impact of the crash into a traffic signal pole reportedly caused the vehicle to break apart.

“Preliminary evidence located at the scene suggests alcohol may have been a contributing factor,” police said Sunday. ”However, the investigation remains ongoing, and no final determination has been made at this time.”

Officers also received information indicating the vehicle may have been traveling at high speed prior to the crash and were working to verify the report as part of the ongoing investigation.

Four people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center.

However, one of those patients died at the hospital, police said.

The sixth person remained in critical condition Sunday morning.

Names of those killed will be released after family members have been notified, police said.

Santa Maria police were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash later Sunday.

The intersection was closed for several hours due the crash and investigation, police 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 June 7, 2026 at 1:01 PM with the headline "5 killed, 1 critically injured in suspected DUI crash in Santa Maria."