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John Goodman

CHP officers investigating the scene where Christina Veloz-Payne's body was found near the intersection of Calle Real and Plumas Avenue.


Body Identified as Missing Goleta Girl

CHP Speculate She May Have Been Trying to Cross Highway 101


Thursday, September 4, 2008
By Chris Meagher (Contact)
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A body found this morning in brush sandwiched between Highway 101 and Calle Real in Goleta has been identified as a 14-year-old Goleta resident who had been missing since Monday.

Sgt. Alex Tipolt of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department confirmed that the deceased female found in the bushes was indeed Christina Veloz-Payne, who was last seen by her friends at around 8 p.m. Monday, when she attended the fireworks display at Girsh Park, less than a mile from where the body was found Thursday.

John  Goodman

The closed-off scene of the investigation.

Tipolt indicated that the California Highway Patrol was conducting the investigation, because it appears the girl was hit on the freeway. CHP is treating the matter as a hit and run felony matter.

The right shoulder of Highway 101 and Calle Real near Plumas Avenue were both closed. Photos of the scene depict a memorial for David Ramirez, an 18-year-old Goleta resident who was one of two teens killed in a head-on collision at the intersection of Calle Real and Mendocino Road, very close to the spot where Veloz-Payne’s body was found today.

John  Goodman

A CHP officer stands near a memorial for David Ramirez, who died a year ago near the site where Christina Veloz-Payne's body was found.

A California Highway Patrol press release is expected soon.


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I extend my deepest sympathy to her family.

binky (anonymous profile)
September 4, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is very sad :(

santabarbarasand (anonymous profile)
September 4, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had heard she told her family she was going to walk to a friend's house. Does anyone know if her friend lives in this neighborhood?

I guess what I'm really worried about is that kids are running back and forth across the 101 in this neighborhood on a regular basis ...

Kratatoa (anonymous profile)
September 4, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If kids are really crossing the freeway with regularity, and what a horrifying thought that is, that's a strong argument for the pedestrian bridge that was supposed to have been built when the shopping center was put in.

The other reason kids are on the freeway is graffiti. Recall the boy who was killed a few years back near Milpas, spraycan in hand.

Tragic either way.

gjanee (anonymous profile)
September 5, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The exact place where this girl was killed was the site of a now forgotten plan to build a pedestrian/bicycle overpass similar to the one on West Ortega street in Santa Barbara. This overpass was discussed as part of the Camino Real project, but it was never funded.

Currently there are plans -as part of Measure 'A' on the November ballot- to build an overcrossing at this spot that will also accommodate vehicles, similar to the one at Micheltorena Street.

It is extremely sad when tragedies like this one take place. We need to make our corner of the world safer for children.

neighbor (anonymous profile)
September 5, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is indeed a tragedy. My heart goes out to her family.

However, I find it erroneous to say she died because a pedestrian bridge wasn't built. Storke is by no means an impossible overpass to cross. We all need to remember that there is no maximum age at which we tell our kids what is safe and what is not. That would be the first step in making our corner of the world safer.

sbdude (anonymous profile)
September 5, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I keep running into cases where my first question as a parent is "where are the parents".
My 11 year has friends who's parents let them go where ever when ever without adult supervision.
These are children left with adult choice.
They simply are not ready. their impulse and hormones are too strong. They are CHILDREN.
Kids are getting killed on bikes,pathways,streets and bridges at too high not to take notice.
If this tragedy prompts awareness about building an over pass walkway or more adult supervision,maybe it will serve some purpose.
I am heartfully sorry for this families loss.
I am certain regret is happening in a few homes.
The home of the lost girl and her family and the burden of guilt being born by the person who hit her.
What kind of human could bare the weight of taking a life and not coming forward.
It is all so tragic.

emenzies (Elizabeth Menzies)
September 5, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep in mind the Ped bridge was taken off the table so the Marketplace commuters had a nice safe onramp to maximise their convenience. Screw the locals after all. It's all about the money.

Don't worry though Lineham made sure his butt's covered by ingratiating himself with the Sherrif's Office he donated. We're all a lot safer though cuz that Jean Blois #1 priority. A cop shop and a $100K ayear PIO. Nice priorities COG.

God forbid we should waste money encouraging people to walk or ride a bike...

sa1 (anonymous profile)
September 6, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Storke overpass is a pedestrian nightmare. As is the Los Carneros overpass and onramps, the Winchester Canyon overpass, and the Fairview overpass. Thanks to our development crazy Goleta City Council for putting their energies on helping to fix these things!!!! (Instead, we have more hotels and houses to feed more cars to these intersections.) Come November, who will we vote for? Onnen and Blois? Heck no!

ruralwannabe (anonymous profile)
September 6, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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