Joseph Nunez Killed in Santa Ynez Valley Car Crash on Highway 154

Joseph Nunez Killed, 3 People Injured in Multi-Car Crash on Highway 154 in Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez, California (October 11, 2022) – Joseph Anthony Nunez, 40, of Santa Maria, has been identified as the man who was killed in a multi-vehicle collision near Buellton on Sunday.

The California Highway Patrol said the accident happened on Highway 154 near Meadowvale Road at around 10:25 a.m.

Nunez was driving a Ford CMAX eastbound on Highway 154 when he swerved into the opposing lane to avoid stopped traffic in front of him and collided with a westbound BMW X5 driven by 60-year-old Katha Penny of Oxnard.

The impact of the collision caused the BMW to overturn.

The CMAX continued eastbound where it crashed into a Toyota Highlander driven by 52-year-old Steven Mon of Anaheim.

Nunez was the sole occupant of his car and was killed in the collision.

Mon and his two passengers suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.

Penny was unhurt.

No additional information about the accident was provided.

An investigation into the accident is underway.