[01-21-2026] Santa Barbara County, CA – Man Arrested After DUI and Hit-and-Run Collisions on Westside

Police officers arrested a 20-year-old Santa Barbara man on suspicion of driving under the influence and other offenses after responding to reports of vehicle collisions on the Westside in Santa Barbara on Wednesday night, January 21, 2026.

The man, identified as Jhonathan C., was arrested on suspicion of committing a felony while out on bail, felony DUI, and felony hit and run. His bail was set at $100,000, and he remained in jail custody as of Thursday morning.

Officers first responded to a two-vehicle collision with possible injuries at the intersection of West Cota Street and Wentworth Avenue around 9:17 p.m. One person was injured and later transported to the hospital. While responding to this collision, officers were flagged down by a member of the public who reported a second collision with injuries near the intersection of San Pascual Street and Del Monte Avenue. 

The suspect, driving a gray Hyundai Elantra, had fled the scene. Officers were directed to the suspect, and an arrest was made at gunpoint on the 600 block of Wentworth Avenue.

Jhonathan was showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol, and a DUI investigation was conducted. The person injured in the second vehicle collision was treated at the scene.

The suspect and vehicle from the first collision were not at the scene when officers arrived. The investigation is ongoing.

What A Lawyer Can Do For You

Many victims put off calling a lawyer even if they sustain injuries after an accident. However, lawyers can help you in many ways. They can provide you with police reports, CCTV footage, and witness statements to strengthen your case. Your attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. The best part is that they will do all of these things for you at no upfront cost. So if you’re injured in an accident, hire a personal injury attorney to recover medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.