$2 Million Bail for Driver in Fatal DUI Incident near Buellton
– by F. Scott Faulkner
BUELLTON, CA — September 17, 2025 – A deadly collision on Highway 246 west of Buellton earlier this month has led to the arrest of
Los Angeles area resident Jesus Moises Martinez Chavira, 46 on charges of murder and DUI.
The crash took place just before 7 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2025, when a Tesla Model S, driven by
Martinez Chavira, entered an intersection on Highway 246 in the City of Buellton.
At that point, a westbound Ford F-150 slammed into the car.
The Tesla’s passenger died at the scene while Martinez Chavira was transported to a nearby
hospital with major injuries.
According to Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney
Madison Whitmore, investigators determined “he had been driving under the influence of
alcohol at the time of the collision.”
On September 16, upon his release from medical care, Martinez Chavira was arrested and
charged with two felony counts of DUI, one for causing injury, and a sentencing enhancement
alleging his blood alcohol concentration was 0.15% or higher.
He remains in custody with his bail set at $2 million.
Photo: Courtesy of Santa Barbara Fire Dept.
