Santa Maria man charged after alleged drunk driving incident killed two on Highway 154

A Santa Maria man was arrested on felony charges after he allegedly lost control of his car on Highway 154 on Dec. 17, causing a three-vehicle crash that killed two people and injured two more. 

Rigoberto Gracida, 30, has been charged with two felony counts of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and a misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended driving privilege, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. 

Gracida, who was driving a 2007 Nissan SUV eastbound on Highway 154, just east of Zaca Station Road, allegedly drifted into oncoming traffic, according to a California Highway Patrol report. Gracida’s car collided with a 2001 Honda, causing Gracida’s car to roll onto its roof. His car was then hit from behind by a 2002 Dodge mini van. 

The driver of the Honda, 35-year-old Hamilton Bonilla, and the passenger of the Dodge, 50-year-old Antonia Santiago, were killed. Both were residents of Santa Maria. Gracida and two others were treated for injuries at Marian Medical Center, and Gracida was later arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. 

His blood alcohol content tested at .10, well above the legal limit of .08, according to the felony complaint, which also includes three aliases allegedly used by Gracida. 

Gracida’s bail was set at $300,000 at an arraignment on Dec. 19, according to the DA’s office.

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