Camarillo, CA (March 17, 2025) – A tragic two-vehicle crash left two men dead on Highway 101 south of Carmen Drive.
Accident Details: The collision occurred at approximately 2:55 a.m. on the northbound side of Highway 101. Authorities say a 2015 Ford Mustang traveling northbound crashed into the rear of a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The Volkswagen was stopped in the center median. Both occupants of the Volkswagen Jetta—identified only as adult men—suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The 19-year-old driver of the Mustang, a Santa Barbara resident, sustained minor injuries. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been factors, though authorities are still investigating.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Drivers must maintain a safe following distance and stay alert for stopped or slowed traffic. Investigators will examine whether the Mustang driver was speeding, distracted, or fatigued, which led to a failure to react in time.
The crash raises an important question: why was the Volkswagen Jetta stopped in the center median? Investigators will determine whether the vehicle was experiencing mechanical failure or had been involved in a prior crash.
Authorities will analyze traffic camera footage, witness statements, and vehicle black box data from both the Mustang and the Jetta to assess speed, braking, and impact force to understand the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
If negligence is determined, the families of the victims may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two men who lost their lives in this collision.
Source: KEYT