19-Year-Old Uber Passenger Dies after Two-Car Crash on Storke Road
GOLETA, CA (March 30, 2018) – A 19-year-old foreign exchange student living in Santa Barbara was killed in a car crash involving two vehicles, early Friday morning.
The crash occurred around 1:20 AM between a blue Hyundai Tucson and a white Toyota Camry. The Hyundai was driven by a 33-year-old Ventura resident working as an Uber driver, with an 18-year-old male and a 19-year-old female as passengers.
Two people were sitting as passengers in the Toyota, a 16-year-old female from Riverside and a 19-year-old male from Los Angeles, driven by a 24-year-old Riverside woman. According to CHP reports, the Toyota was heading north on Storke Road, while the Hyundai was westbound on Hollister Avenue before the collision happened.
The driver of the Toyota and only one passenger of the Toyota sustained minor injuries, while the other passenger was unharmed. Justine Van Ginderachter, 19, was ejected from the Uber, suffering major injuries. Emergency personnel transported her to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Preliminary investigation found that the young woman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. Another teen, an 18-year-old passenger in the Hyundai, received medical treatment at the scene for minor injuries. Authorities stated that he was also not wearing a seatbelt.
Officials from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Major Accident Response Team are investigating the fatal accident to confirm which vehicle ran a red light. Authorities do not believe that alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash. Both drivers cooperated with investigators.
Anyone with additional information is urged to call Senior Deputy Farmer at (805) 961-7514.
We at Sweet Law Group offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Justine Van Ginderachter.
If a loved one was killed in a road collision, or if you or someone you know was critically injured, contact the experienced attorneys at Sweet Law Group. Our firm has over 40 years of experience in the field, and we know what it takes to win your case and achieve the justice and compensation that you deserve. Call (800) 203-3061 and arrange a free initial meeting with an experienced legal professional in your area. You can also reach us by email, online chat, and text message.
