The drunk driver and his passengers were arrested earlier this week after crashing the walls of the Goleta home where their cars were occupied, officials confirmed.
It happened late Monday night, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, located in the 6200 block of Cathedral Oaks Road.
The lawmaker was dispatched to Goleta’s residence at 11:38pm and plunged past the front yard into what looked like a family room before spotting a sedan protruding halfway through the house.
A driver identified as 23-year-old Goleta’s driver, 23-year-old Nehemiah Verhoev, has failed to make a left turn from Cathedral Oaks onto Carlo Drive, which results in him driving a crosswalk activist and hitting his home. Lawmakers discovered Verhoef was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Additionally, before authorities arrived, the sheriff’s office said passengers in the vehicle identified as Luke Gibou, 24, of Santa Barbara, tried to hide an open container of alcohol they had in the car.
A Honda Accord is seen after a DUI driver crashes into the occupied Goleta home. June 2025 (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office) The Honda Accord is seen after a DUI driver crashed into an occupied Goleta home. Crews from the June 2025 (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office) are seen reinforcement of Goleta’s home after a DUI driver crashed. Crews from June 2025 (Santa Barbara County Fire Station) are seen reinforcement of Goleta’s home after a DUI driver crashed. Crews from June 2025 (Santa Barbara County Fire Station) are seen reinforcement of Goleta’s home after a DUI driver crashed. June 2025 (Santa Barbara County Fire Station)
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department crew also responded to reports of crashes, helping to reinforce and secure the heavily damaged structure.
Deputies arrested Verhoef for a misdemeanor DUI, and Gibou arrested him for hiding evidence. This is also a misdemeanor. Both were booked in major prisons, but were subsequently cited and released.
“There is no excuse to risk your life with ride-sharing, designated drivers and public transport,” said Sergeant Noel Rivas at the Goleta Transportation Agency. “Make the right choice before you get behind the wheel and avoid a trip to prison.”
One of the people at the house at the time happened to be in another area of the house when the car crashed the front wall, but no injuries were reported as a result.
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