[10-13-2024] San Luis Obispo County, CA – One Dead, Two Injured After Multi-Car Pileup on Highway 101

One person died, and two others were injured in an early morning multi-car pileup in Nipomo, San Luis Obispo County, on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

At around 2:00 a.m., the California Highway Patrol received a call about a vehicle rollover on Highway 101 near the southbound Highway 166 off-ramp. 

Authorities stated that a car driven by Dylan L. 20, of Orcutt, approached the rear of a 2012 Nissan Altima driven by an unidentified 30-year-old man from Santa Maria.

Dylan L. was driving at a “high rate of speed” when he collided with the Nissan, which was stopped behind another vehicle, a black GMC Sierra driven by Leticia F., 53, of Bakersfield. 

Due to his unsafe speed, Dylan L. was unable to slow down or avoid the stopped traffic from the initial rollover. The impact pushed the Nissan forward to the GMC. Dylan L’s. car then veered onto the dirt median, colliding with a Chrysler Pacifica driven by Trisha N., 61, of Santa Maria.

The unidentified Santa Maria man was transported by ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries Sunday morning. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Cal Fire Deputy Chief Josh Taylor noted that fog was a contributing factor in the multi-car pileup. Two other individuals, Dylan L. and Leticia F. were treated for injuries at the scene. Dylan L.  was arrested following the crash, with authorities stating that alcohol was believed to be a factor in the incident. 

As of Sunday evening, Dylan L.  was in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail, with bail set at $100,000. He faces charges of driving under the influence causing injury, DUI with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above, manslaughter, and gross negligence.