Jake Curtis, Alexander Wood Obituary, Death: Teenagers die in multi-car crash on Highway 1 near Lompoc.
Jake Curtis, Alexander Wood Obituary, Death – Three teenagers from southern Santa Barbara County tragically lost their lives in a four-vehicle collision that occurred on Highway 1 on Sunday evening, May 18. Authorities have since identified the victims as Jake Curtis, 18, of Goleta, along with Michael Ochsner, 17, and Alexander Wood, 15, both residents of Santa Barbara. All three were inside a Toyota Yaris involved in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident happened around 6:00 p.m. near Rancho San Julian, a rural area situated between Lompoc and Gaviota. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the 2007 Toyota Yaris, which the teens were traveling in, was heading southbound on Highway 1 when it unexpectedly veered across the centerline into the northbound lanes. The car then collided head-on with a 2024 Tesla Model 3.
The force of the collision was severe. After the initial impact between the Toyota and Tesla, the Tesla then hit a 2012 Audi Q5 that had also been traveling southbound. CHP officers stated that one of the vehicles, possibly the Tesla or the Audi, also struck a 2002 Honda Accord. The sequence of collisions left several people injured in addition to the three teen fatalities.
Jake Curtis, who was behind the wheel of the Toyota, along with his two passengers, Ochsner and Wood, were pronounced dead on site due to the severity of the crash. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through their communities in Goleta and Santa Barbara, where they were known and loved.
In the aftermath of the crash, CHP officers and emergency responders rushed to the scene. The Tesla’s occupants, a man and a woman in their 50s from Lompoc, sustained major injuries. Both were quickly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. The extent of their injuries has not been made public, but their conditions were reported as serious.
The Audi Q5 and Honda Accord were also occupied at the time of the crash. The drivers of those vehicles were teenagers aged 16 and 17, both from Santa Barbara. Their conditions have not been disclosed, but CHP confirmed that they survived the crash.
In a public statement issued following the incident, Lieutenant Jason Bronson, commander of the CHP Buellton area office, expressed deep condolences to the families affected. “This was a tragedy, and local families have lost loved ones,” Bronson said. “We grieve with the families and work every day to prevent this loss of life in our communities.” His comments reflected the deep sorrow felt throughout Santa Barbara County and the importance of roadway safety.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the crash. While the exact reason for the Toyota Yaris crossing into the opposite lanes is still under investigation, authorities have not ruled out factors such as driver error, distraction, or possible mechanical failure. No toxicology reports or signs of impairment have been released as of now.
CHP is asking any witnesses or individuals who may have relevant information about the crash to come forward and assist in the investigation. Those with tips or dashcam footage are encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol at (805) 691-6160.
The incident marks another sobering reminder of the dangers of high-speed travel on two-lane highways like Highway 1, particularly in areas where sudden lane changes or minor driver miscalculations can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The loss of three young lives, especially under such tragic and sudden circumstances, has prompted renewed calls within the community for heightened road safety awareness.
Community members have begun to express their grief and support through social media, vigils, and outreach to the families involved. Friends and classmates of the victims, as well as local leaders, have shared their condolences, with many remembering the boys as bright, kind, and full of potential. Local schools are offering counseling services to students and staff impacted by the news.
As the investigation continues, the hope remains that clarity will come for the families affected, and that lessons learned may help prevent future tragedies on local roads. For now, Santa Barbara County mourns the lives of Jake Curtis, Michael Ochsner, and Alexander Wood, three young individuals whose futures were tragically cut short.
