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Fatal Car Accident On Highway 101

Written by Alys Martinez

Story Created: Aug 31, 2006 at 9:59 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 6:26 PM PST

Thursday morning at approximately 1:25 am, 22- year-old Lara Carrell Buys of Lincoln, California was driving a 2002 Ford Expedition Southbound on US 101 at Los Carneros Road. According to CHP investigators, Ms. Buys was driving in the left lane at 70-75 miles per hour when she reached into the center console to retrieve a cell phone.

The Ford then drifted into the dirt center divider where Ms. Buys lost control. She attempted to regain control but over-corrected to the left. The Ford overturned and came to rest a top its roof near the southbound Los Carneros Road on ramp. The passenger seated in the right front seat of the Ford, 29 year old Jenny Lynn Robinson-Smith, also of Lincoln, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Robinson-Smith was not wearing a seatbelt.

Two of Ms. Robinson-Smith's children were seated in car seats in the rear seat. 11 week old Jason Smith was uninjured and was transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for evaluation. 6 year old Abby Smith sustained lacerations and abrasions to her right elbow and ankle. She was also transported to Cottage Hospital.

Ms. Buys, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained abrasions and was transported to Cottage Hospital by ambulance. during the investigation, CHP investigators determined that Ms. Buys was under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested for felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter and booked into the Santa Barbara County jail.
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