ID of man hit, killed on Hwy.101 in attempt to flee released

Castillo, a Santa Maria man and former Hancock College student, led police on a chase northbound on Highway 101 shortly before 10:20 p.m. Wednesday after he ran a red light at Betteravia and Bradley roads, according to Lt. James Ginter of the Santa Maria Police Department. 

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but once the man entered Highway 101 northbound, traveling at a high rate of speed, they discontinued the pursuit. 

Castillo's car, a 1995 red Cadillac lowrider, then struck the center divider and the vehicle rolled over onto the passenger side as the driver attempted to take the Broadway offramp at a high rate of speed.

Fleeing the scene on foot, Castillo jumped over the center divider wall onto the southbound side of the freeway where he was struck by a vehicle. After the initial impact, he was struck by several more vehicles as he lay in the roadway. Castillo sustained fatal injuries.

The CHP is continuing its investigation.