[03-27-2026] Santa Barbara County, CA – One Injured in Hit-and-Run Collision at State St. and Cota St.

One person was arrested, and another was hospitalized following a hit-and-run collision in downtown Santa Barbara on Friday night, March 27, 2026.

According to the Santa Barbara Police Department, the incident occurred around 9:45 p.m., when a white pickup truck rear-ended two vehicles stopped at a traffic signal at State Street and Cota Street.

The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene on foot, heading northbound on the 600 block of State Street.

A witness, reportedly an employee of nearby Joe’s Cafe, chased the driver and caught him on the first block of East Ortega Street.

Ryan H., 50, of Montecito, was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of drunken driving and hit-and-run with injuries, both felonies. Ryan remained in custody on Saturday with bail set at $100,000.

One of the drivers involved in the collision sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Another person at the scene reported minor pain complaints.

The investigation into the incident 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.