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September 04, 2026

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Leidis Litez-Perez died in solo-vehicle crash on Black Road

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Ford F-150 left the roadway and rolled down an embankment near Highway 1

August 28, 2026 | Santa Barbara, CA

What happened in the crash?

Leidis Litez-Perez, 39, of Santa Maria, was killed Friday afternoon when a Ford F-150 ran off Black Road west of Orcutt and rolled down an embankment, officials said.

police lightsLeidis Litez-Perez, 39, of Santa Maria, was killed when the Ford F-150 she was riding in left the roadway near Highway 1 and rolled down an embankment.

  • Date: Friday afternoon, Aug. 28
  • Location: 5000 block of Black Road near Highway 1, west of Orcutt
  • Vehicle: Ford F-150 pickup
  • Victim: Leidis Litez-Perez, 39, of Santa Maria, passenger, pronounced deceased at the scene
  • Other occupant: Adult male transported to hospital with moderate injuries
  • Distance: Vehicle came to rest approximately 125 feet down the embankment in thick vegetation

Why do these accidents happen?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading factors in fatal crashes include speeding, impairment, lane departure, failure to yield, and distraction.

RankPrimary CauseSource
1SpeedingNHTSA
2Alcohol, drugs, or medicationNHTSA
3Failure to stay in laneNHTSA
4Failure to yieldNHTSA
5Distracted drivingNHTSA

Legal Insights

“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party. Time is of the essence in cases such as this.”

— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal

“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed in order to obtain the justice you deserve.”

— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal

Key takeaways

  • Independent review can supplement official investigations
  • Evidence preservation is critical in the first days after an incident
  • Families may pursue claims for loss of companionship and related damages

(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)

Newsline - is your trusted source for legal news and accident reports, delivering timely updates to keep you informed.


If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Motor Vehicle Accident, California, Black Road, near Highway 1, west of Orcutt

The staff of Newsline would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to Leidis Litez-Perez and family

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