2001 Isla Vista killings

Vehicular assault in Isla Vista, California December 2025 April 2023 Isla Vista attacks 2001 Isla Vista killings USA California Southern#USA 250 center Isla Vista right Red pog.svg 2001 2 23 ≈ approximately 11:00 p.m. PST UTC−8:00 Isla Vista, California, U.S. 34.4104 -119.8538 type:landmark_source:enwiki-googlemaplink title,inline David Attias Murder (driving under the influence) Four counts of second-degree murder Pedestrians Vehicular homicide, mass murder 1991 Saab 9000 5 (including a victim who died in 2016) 0 On February 23, 2001, a vehicular homicide and assault occurred in the student community of Isla Vista, California, near the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus. Four people were killed and a fifth, who suffered critical injuries, died in October 2016.Nick Welsh, "Fifth Attias Victim Dies," Santa Barbara Independent, October 20, 2016. The driver, David Attias (son of television director Dan Attias), was ruled legally insane and sentenced to 60 years in a mental institution. In September 2012, a court approved Attias' release after 10 years.McKay Hollie 2015-03-20 '01 Santa Barbara killer walks free as families relive carnage 13 years later https://www.foxnews.com/us/01-santa-barbara-killer-walks-free-as-families-relive-carnage-13-years-later 2021-01-12 Fox News en-US Details On the evening of February 23, 2001, just after 11:00 p.m., UCSB student David Attias, the 18-year-old son of television director Dan Attias, drove his father's 1991 Saab 9000 down the 6500 block of Sabado Tarde Road at a speed of 50 to 65 miles per hour. He killed four pedestrians and critically injured a fifth.http://archive.dailycal.org/article/4694/ucsb_student_kills_four_in_high_speed_crash UCSB Student Kills Four in High Speed Crash Daily Californian February 26, 2001 September 4, 2012 Steve Sexton April 14, 2013 https://archive.today/20130414154953/http://archive.dailycal.org/article/4694/ucsb_student_kills_four_in_high_speed_crash dead According to witnesses, Attias got out and yelled "I am the Angel of Death!" He continued to taunt a growing crowd, until he was subdued by the first CHP officer to arrive on the scene.http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/I-Am-Angel-of-Death-Cops-suspect-ramming-was-2948049.php 'I Am Angel of Death' / Cops suspect ramming was intentional San Francisco Chronicle February 26, 2001 September 4, 2012 Stacy Finz Vicki Haddock David R. Baker Larry D. Hatfield It was initially unclear if Attias was affected by drugs or if the attack was intentional. Blood tests later showed that Attias was under the influence of marijuana and Lidocaine, but neither were deemed significant to the incident.http://www.dailynexus.com/2011-02-24/vigil-honors-victims-isla-vista-tragedy/ Vigil Honors Victims of Isla Vista Tragedy Daily Nexus February 24, 2011 September 4, 2012 Angelina Ward September 2012 Victims Four people were killed in the assault: 20-year-old UCSB students Nicholas Bourdakis and Christopher Divis, 27-year-old San Francisco resident Elie Israel, and 20-year-old Santa Barbara City College student Ruth Levy. A fifth person, Albert Arthur Levy, 27, Ruth's brother, was critically injured but survived. His injuries consisted of crushed legs and a severely battered head, and he died in October 2016 after having seizures for years caused by the injury.http://www.dailynexus.com/2006-02-27/grief-lingers-in-the-wake-of-fatal-collision/ Grief Lingers In the Wake of Fatal Collision Daily Nexus February 27, 2006 September 4, 2012 Daniel Haier Aftermath Trial Attias was charged with four counts of murder, four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and five counts of felony driving under the influence.http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Teenager-Charged-With-Murder-In-Car-Deaths-In-2947894.php Teenager Charged With Murder In Car Deaths / In Isla Vista, friends and family turned out for a vigil at the spot where the victims were killed San Francisco Chronicle February 27, 2001 September 4, 2012 Stacy Finz Residents of his hall told police and the campus paper that Attias had been known for his erratic behavior, including stalking another student.http://www.dailybruin.com/article/2001/03/death-of-ucsb-students-should- Death of UCSB students should spark awareness on our own campus; Recognizing, reporting odd behavior could prevent tragedies Daily Bruin March 5, 2001 September 4, 2012 Andrew Jones Several students referred to him as "Crazy Dave" and "Tweaker." The case received additional media attention because David Attias is the son of Dan Attias, a prominent Hollywood TV director. Attias pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and his trial sparked significant interest. On June 11, 2002, Attias was convicted in a jury trial of four counts of second-degree murder. He was acquitted of driving under the influence.http://www.dailynexus.com/2002-06-06/jury-finds-attias-guilty-of-murder/ Jury Finds Attias Guilty of Murder Daily Nexus June 6, 2002 September 4, 2012 Marisa Lagos One week later, the same jury found that Attias was legally insane. This resulted in a sentence of up to 60 years at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/driver-who-killed-4-ruled-insane/ Driver Who Killed 4 Ruled Insane Associated Press February 11, 2009 September 4, 2012 Memorial A memorial to the victims was installed in Little Acorn Park. The park borders the intersection where Attias struck and killed them. Release While at Patton, Attias was treated for substance abuse, bipolar disorder and pervasive developmental disorder.Lara Cooper https://www.noozhawk.com/article/060112_court_hearings_driver_who_killed_4 Hearings Continue on Possible Release of David Attias, Driver Who Killed 4 in Isla Vista Noozhawk June 1, 2012 December 9, 2018 In May 2012, Attias asked the courts to transfer him from Patton to an outpatient psychiatric facility, stating he has his bipolar disorder under control. The news of his request prompted expressions of concern about his potential risk of relapse or danger from survivors and family of his victims at court hearings on this proposed action.http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/David-Attias-Seeks-Transfer-from-Mental-Hospital-155531915.html David Attias Seeks Transfer From Mental Hospital NBC South California May 29, 2012 September 4, 2012 Ted Chen Neil Costes Testimony was heard from mental health professionals. Attias was given a conditional release from Patton State and transferred to a supervised "unlocked outpatient treatment program" on September 4, 2012.Nick Welsh http://www.independent.com/news/2012/sep/04/conditional-release-david-attias/ Conditional Release for David Attias The Independent September 4, 2012 October 6, 2015 See also List of homicides in California References Category:2001 in California Category:2001 murders in the United States Category:Attacks in the United States in 2001 Category:2000s crimes in California Category:February 2001 crimes in the United States Category:2001 mass murders Category:Mass murders in California Category:2000s mass murders in the United States Category:2001 road incidents Category:History of Santa Barbara County, California Category:Vehicle-ramming attacks in the United States Category:2000s vehicle-ramming attacks Category:Massacres in 2001 Category:Massacres in the United States