Witness Describes Driver’s Actions After His Car Plowed Into Crowd in Isla Vista

Authorities in Santa Barbara refused to comment Thursday on whether they have confirmed reports that UC Santa Barbara freshman David Attias called himself an “angel of death” after he plowed his car into a crowd of students last week, killing four people.

But one eyewitness says he has told investigators that he saw the suspect lift his arms, make that ominous proclamation and randomly shout, “You deserve to die.”

His behavior didn’t make sense, said Nicholas Gadouas, who lives next to the Isla Vista crash scene.

California Highway Patrol officials had said earlier this week that they were trying to track down witnesses who, according to local news reports, said they had heard Attias call himself an “angel of death.” On Thursday, a CHP spokesman said the agency would not comment on what witnesses have told the investigators, acting on the advice of the district attorney’s office. A Sheriff’s Department official has confirmed that Gadouas is on the CHP’s list of witnesses who have been interviewed.

Attias, 18, has been charged with four counts of murder, indicating that prosecutors believe the former Santa Monica high school student intended to kill his victims.

Elie Israel, 27; Nicholas Shaw Bourdakis, 20; Christopher Edward Divis, 20; and Ruth Levy, 20, were killed. Albert Levy, Ruth’s brother, was critically injured. Thursday, family and friends gathered at the university’s Storke Plaza to remember the victims, and many then took part in a procession to nearby Isla Vista’s Acorn Park, not far from the site of Friday night’s tragedy.

Gadouas, a 21-year-old Santa Barbara Community College student, told The Times that Attias also yelled “This is the dark side” as he ran around the popular party street frantically pulling at his clothes and trying to fight bystanders. Gadouas said the CHP officers told him that he would be a key witness in the case because he was completely sober that night and was on the scene before Attias’ car even rolled to a stop.

Gadouas spoke briefly to the UC Santa Barbara newspaper, the Daily Nexus, over the weekend, but had avoided reporters since because he has been so distraught, he said. He said Wednesday that he plans to seek private counseling.

In his account to The Times, Gadouas said he was standing outside his apartment by a row of mailboxes about 11 p.m., planning to go to a party down the street. He did not drink any alcohol that night, he said, because he had a cold.

As he was walking along the driveway, he heard a loud crunch as Attias’ car struck the first in a line of parked cars. Gadouas said he turned around and began running out to the street. “I could hear the bodies hit the ground,” he said, describing a “hollow thump.” When he got to the curb, he said, the car was rolling to a stop.

Gadouas ran into his apartment to call 911. Gadouas said he then ran back outside and saw Attias sparring with bystanders and shouting.

“His eyes were wide open,” said Gadouas. “He looked so ominous, even though he was so little.”

At the time, many on the street were in shock and did not know that Attias was the driver, Gadouas said. Attias, he said, was running around spasmodically, punching people lightly, almost like he was dancing.

“They were not real punches,” said Gadouas. When Attias announced that he was “the angel of death,” he held his arms outstretched, “standing in a Jesus Christ pose,” Gadouas said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.