EL RIO, CA — October 5, 2026 Pedro Salazar Acosta, a 45-year-old Santa Paula resident, died following a head-on collision involving two vehicles on Vineyard Avenue near Perello Ranch Road in El Rio, Ventura County. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash, which also left a woman seriously injured and a juvenile passenger with minor injuries.
According to CHP findings reported after the collision, Acosta was traveling westbound in a Honda Civic when he made an unsafe left turn and crossed the double yellow center lines into the path of an oncoming BMW 328i. The vehicles collided head-on at approximately 3:15 p.m.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Acosta sustained major injuries and died at the scene. The 22-year-old woman driving the BMW suffered major injuries, while the juvenile passenger sustained minor injuries. Both were transported to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities have not established whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision. The investigation remains focused on determining the circumstances that led to the vehicles colliding.
