Four Injured in Goleta Highway 101 Crash

Pickup truck veers off freeway, crashes into overpass pillar on rainy President's Day

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A pickup truck veered off southbound Highway 101 in Goleta, California and crashed into a concrete overpass support pillar near the Patterson Avenue off-ramp, sending two adults and two children to the hospital with injuries ranging from moderate to critical. The crash occurred during steady rainfall on Monday afternoon, though the cause remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of driving in inclement weather conditions, especially on freeway off-ramps where vehicles must decelerate and navigate tight curves. It also raises questions about road safety and infrastructure maintenance in the region.

The details

According to authorities, the pickup truck apparently lost control, went off the freeway, and crashed directly into the concrete highway support pillar. Firefighters worked quickly to extricate the four occupants, who included the female driver with major injuries, an adult male passenger with moderate injuries, and two children - one with moderate injuries and one in critical condition. All four were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment.

  • The crash occurred just after 2 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • The southbound Patterson Avenue off-ramp remained closed Monday afternoon as the CHP conducted its investigation.

The players

Mike Gray

Public information officer for Santa Barbara County Fire.

California Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency investigating the cause of the crash.

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What they’re saying

“The truck apparently lost control, went off the freeway, [and] ended up going straight into that concrete highway support for Highway 217.”

— Mike Gray, Public information officer, Santa Barbara County Fire (independent.com)

What’s next

The CHP investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and officials have not yet confirmed if weather was a factor. The conditions of the injured parties also remain unclear.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of driving cautiously in inclement weather, especially on highways and freeway off-ramps where loss of control can have devastating consequences. It also highlights the need for continued investment in road safety and infrastructure maintenance to protect all travelers.