Goleta man pleads not guilty to vehicular manslaughter

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

After several postponed arraignment dates, a Goleta man charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for allegedly causing a headon crash that killed two young Lompoc women finally entered a plea last week: not guilty.

Kyle Nelson, 23, was arrested on Dec. 9 in connection with the Oct. 28 collision on State Route 1 in Gaviota that killed Jenna Corrin Causby, 19, and Dorothy Guthrie, 20.

He first appeared in court on Dec. 15 for the purpose of an arraignment, but the case was repeatedly continued for further arraignment.

Until last Thursday.

“The defendant was arraigned yesterday (Feb. 9) and pled not guilty to the charges,” Deputy District Attorney Michelle Mossembekker told the NewsPress. “The case was continued to 3/2/23 … for preliminary hearing setting.”

Mr. Nelson is charged with two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one felony count of driving under the influence of any drug causing injury.

Prosecutors included a special allegation that Mr. Nelson committed the alleged crime after being released from custody either on bail or his own recognizance in connection with an unrelated case.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Mr. Nelson was driving a Ford C-Max south on Route 1 at 80 mph when he approached a northbound Chevy Malibu driven by Ms. Causby. Ms. Guthrie was her passenger.

The 4 a.m. crash occurred as Mr. Nelson overtook slower southbound traffic directly ahead of his vehicle, and he allegedly chose to pass them by illegally driving over the solid double yellow line, the CHP said. He ended up driving south in the No. 1 northbound lane, directly into the path of Ms. Causby’s car. Ms. Causby, realizing his Ford was traveling the wrong way, turned her Malibu to the right in an attempt to avoid a head-on crash. At the same time, however, Mr. Nelson turned his Ford to the left, and the front of his vehicle collided head-on with the front of her Malibu, the CHP said.

The force of the collision rotated both vehicles in a counterclockwise direction.

The Malibu was propelled to the east shoulder, where it came to rest facing a westerly direction. The Ford came to rest in the northbound lanes, facing a westerly direction.

After the collision, both vehicles became engulfed in flames.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to tackle the fire and pronounced both victims dead at the scene.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Crowds lined up on State Street to see Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis approach the red carpet at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. And there’s more stargazing ahead at the festival, which continues through Saturday at three State Street theaters.

Another crowd will no doubt gather outside as Brendan Fraser — who, like Ms. Curtis and Ms. Blanchett, is an Oscar nominee — walks toward the red carpet.

Mr. Fraser will receive the American Riviera Award at 8 tonight at the Arlington Theatre. That’s where Ms. Curtis on Saturday night received the Matlin Modern Master Award, and it’s where Ms. Blanchett was honored with the Outstanding Performer Award on Friday.

In one of Hollywood’s great comeback stories, Mr. Fraser received his best actor Oscar nomination for his starring role in “The Whale,” about a writing teacher who’s dealing with weight issues. At the same time, he’s trying hard to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

The stars will continue to come to the festival Wednesday night when several actors receive the Virtuosos Award at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. The winners

FYi

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival continues through Saturday at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St.; Fiesta 5, 916 State St.; and the Metro 4, 618 State St. For the schedule, go to sbiff.org.

are Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”), Nina Hoss (Tár), Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”), Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Jeremy Strong (“Armageddon Time”). Mr. Butler, Ms. Hsu and Mr. Quan have all been nominated for Oscars for their movies.

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, who are both in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” will walk the red carpet Thursday night at the Arlington Theatre for the 8 p.m. presentation. The actors, who are among this year’s Oscar nominees, are receiving the

Cinema Vanguard Award from the Santa Barbara festival.

In addition to honoring actors, the film festival will present the Outstanding Directors of the Year Award at 8 p.m. Friday at the Arlington Theatre. And the winners are (opening the imaginary envelope): Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Todd Field (Tár), and Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”). All of them are Oscar nominees for best director, along with Steven Spielberg for “The Fablemans” and Ruben Ostlund for “Triangle of Sadness.”

While the festival is known for its big names, it’s also a place where independent filmmakers present intriguing stories. You don’t need a big star or a major studio to make a story with some impact.

Especially when that impact is made by a meteorite.

That’s the story in “Stellar,” in which a meteorite hits the Earth and creates fireballs hundreds of kilometers aways. And don’t forget the tsunami.

But while the world is rushing toward its end, two indigenous people in their 30s, simply named “He” and “She,” meet in a dive bar in northern Ontario and fall in love.

The compelling premise led to packed houses Friday and Sunday at the Fiesta 5 theater on State Street.

Please see SBIFF on A 4

The complaint against him also lists aggravating factors, in that the alleged crime involved great violence, great bodily harm or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness or callousness, and that the victims were particularly vulnerable.

Mr. Nelson sustained major injuries and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. He was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com