Photo: Nicholas Baker
April 29, 2020 – Santa Barbara County – Some of the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis might be considered positive. One of those is the absolute dearth of vehicular traffic on the highways and byways of Santa Barbara County. It has generally made the streets safer than ever before for traveling by bicycle, whether for recreational or commuting purposes.
But riding a bike at night appears to be just as risky as ever. Evidence of that harsh reality came on the night of April 26th when a 911 Emergency call reporting a downed cyclist brought Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department Deputies, Santa Barbara County Fire Department Rescue Units, and an ambulance from American Medical Response to the reported accident scene.
Upon arrival, deputies learned that the victim was confirmed dead at the scene. The immediately ensuing investigation determined that the victim had been traveling eastbound on a major thoroughfare when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. The driver of the suspect car, according to SBSD Public Information Officer Raquel Zick, “left the area prior to the deputies’ arrival and did not call for help or render aid” as required by law.
At that point, deputies promptly initiated a search for the suspect vehicle. Less than an hour later, they made contact with 20-year-old Goleta resident Nicholas Baker. Pursuant to the evidence at hand and with Baker’s statements recorded, he was placed under arrest and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail. He was booked on charges of hit and run causing injury or death, involuntary vehicular manslaughter, and driving under the influence causing injury. His bail was set at $1,000,000.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
