Goleta, Calif. – Deputies have closed Cathedral Oaks Road between Glen Annie and Los Carneros while they investigate a vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist. At approximately 8:36 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, Sheriff’s deputies responded with County Fire and AMR to the area of Cathedral Oaks and Glen Annie for a report of a traffic collision involving sedan and a motorcycle. When responders arrived, they found a red Kawasaki partially wedged under a green Subaru sedan. Responders immediately pronounced the motorcyclist deceased. The two occupants of the Subaru were uninjured and have been cooperative throughout the investigation.

Deputies closed Cathedral Oaks between Glen Annie and Los Carneros and requested the Sheriff’s Major Accident Response Team (SMART). SMART is responsible for investigating any traffic collision within a contract city where serious injury or a fatality occurs. Deputies from SMART have been at the scene for several hours conducting their investigation, which requires the roadway to remain closed. Deputies anticipate that the roadway will be reopened in the early morning hours.

So far, it is apparent that drugs, alcohol, impairment and distraction were not a factor for the driver of the Subaru. The motorcyclist who died at the scene is 22-year-old Mikha Benedictus of Goleta. The cause and fault of the collision remains under investigation.