Man dies, another driver suspected of DUI in Highway 154 crash, California officials say

An Arroyo Grande man was killed and another person was critically injured Friday in a suspected DUI collision on Highway 154 at the San Marcos Pass summit, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Michael Kai Liu, 31, was declared dead at the scene of the crash involving an eastbound Toyota pickup truck and a westbound Hyundai Sonata, according to a tweet from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The head-on collision occurred at about 10:40 a.m. near West Camino Cielo, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Toyota, driven by Oscar Pereyra, 61, of Santa Barbara, crossed the double yellow lines and slammed into the Sonata, which was driven by Liu, the CHP said.

Pereyra, who had to be extricated from the wreckage, suffered major injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, the CHP said. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.

The collision remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the events leading up to the crash is asked to contact CHP Officer Shannan Sams at 805-967-1234.