Car Accident Victim Dies of Injuries
A 31-year-old Santa Barbara man who suffered serious head injuries in a two-vehicle accident on Sunday died Monday afternoon in the intensive-care unit of Ventura County Medical Center, the coroner’s office confirmed.
Obajae Clark was the passenger in a Mustang convertible that was broadsided by a pickup truck driven by a man who police suspect was driving drunk.
The Mustang was turning left onto Oak Street from Thompson Boulevard at 6:30 p.m. when the collision occurred. The convertible spun into a nearby gas station and struck a third vehicle.
The driver of the Mustang, Jermaine Smith, 19, also from Santa Barbara, was taken to the medical center with severe leg injuries. Smith was listed in good condition Monday night.
The driver of the pickup, Ralph Barnes, 39, of Ventura, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, police said. He awaits a July 5 arraignment.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but officials said both vehicles had green lights.
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