CHP names possible driver in fatal Montecito hit and run

Posted: Jun 9, 2012 9:03 PM by Hope Hanselman, KSBY News
Updated: Jun 11, 2012 8:40 AM

California Highway Patrol says the man arrested for a fatal hit and run in Montecito may have been the driver of one of the cars.

Early Wednesday morning, CHP says two men brought in 25-year-old Lindsay Keebler, of Santa Barbara, and 26-year-old Allison Meadows, also of Santa Barbara. The report says the women were found lying on the side of the road, with serious injuries.

Now, CHP says one of those men, L. Tyrone Richardson, was driving of one of the cars involved in the collision.

Meadows died before she reached Cottage Hospital. Keebler is now home from the hospital, recovering from her injuries.

CHP is now sending its investigation reports to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney, who will then decide on possible charges. But, friends of the women say they have the right man.

"I just want people to know that this was a tragedy that happened because of recklessness but not because of her lifestyle," said Bri Cormier, a childhood friend of Meadows.

She says after speaking with other friends and family at Thursday night's candle light vigil for Meadows, everyone is trying to piece together an explanation.

"The act of knowing something so terrible just happened but, still being more concerned about your benefit or your roll in it, over the right thing or the just thing... That's what I can't wrap my brain around the most."

Cormier says whoever is responsible for Meadows death and Keebler's injuries knows it, and it's just a matter of time before the truth comes out.

"There's text messages, there's Facebook. People are really integrated on the social media platforms these days. So, it's really hard to hide stuff."

A memorial will be held for Allison Meadows on Monday in Santa Barbara.

Investigators have not released information about why the women were on the road. Some sources says they could be looking at "car surfing" as a possibility.