A driver suspected of driving under the influence was arrested after causing a five-car crash by driving the wrong way on the 101 in Santa Barbara on Saturday, February 1st. The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. on the northbound 101 approaching Junipero Street.
According to authorities, Joseph Scozzaro, 70, was driving under the influence before driving an 87 Volkswagon south on the 101 North. The first driver who encountered Scozzaro was Yesenia Vidal, 23, who swerved hard to the right shoulder, striking a guard rail but avoiding the wrong-way Volkswagon. Vidal suffered minor injuries.
The second driver to encounter Scozzaro was not as lucky. A 97 Acura, driven by David Nugyen, 22, was hit head-on by Scozzaro, blocking the freeway. Two additional cars would strike the already crashed vehicles. A Chevy vehicle driven by Wayne Mantooth, 48, would strike the Acura and another car driven by Sergio Figueroa, 53, rear ended Mantooth before striking Scozzaro.
Figueroa suffered serious injuries, Nguyen suffered moderate injuries, and Mantooth suffered minor injuries. Figureoa, Nguyen, Mantooth and Scozzaro were taken to the hospital to treat their injuries. Scozzaro was later arrested for suspected DUI.
