David Attias
Vehicular Homicide Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Isla Vista, California
TIME PERIOD
February 23, 2001
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
On February 23, 2001, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a vehicular homicide occurred in Isla Vista, California, when 18-year-old UCSB student David Attias drove his father's 1991 Saab 9000 at speeds between 50 to 65 miles per hour down Sabado Tarde Road, striking five pedestrians. The incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals: UCSB students Nicholas Bourdakis and Christopher Divis, San Francisco resident Elie Israel, and Santa Barbara City College student Ruth Levy; a fifth victim, Albert Arthur Levy, sustained critical injuries and later died in October 2016. Attias, who exited the vehicle and proclaimed, "I am the Angel of Death," was ruled legally insane and initially sentenced to 60 years in a mental institution, but was released in September 2012 after serving 10 years. Blood tests indicated he was under the influence of marijuana and Lidocaine at the time of the incident, although these substances were not deemed significant to the crime.
David Attias was believed to have been under the influence of drugs during the attack, leading to speculation about whether his mental state was exacerbated by substance use. Some community members questioned the adequacy of mental health interventions prior to his release, suggesting that he may have posed a continued risk to society. There are also theories that the incident could have been a cry for help or a result of deeper psychological issues stemming from his background.
The 2001 Isla Vista Tragedy: A Tale of Chaos and Controversy
A Night of Horror
On a seemingly ordinary evening in the vibrant student community of Isla Vista, California, near the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, chaos erupted. It was February 23, 2001, just past 11:00 p.m., when the tranquility of the night was shattered by a horrific act of violence. David Attias, an 18-year-old UCSB student and the son of renowned television director Dan Attias, drove a 1991 Saab 9000 down the crowded 6500 block of Sabado Tarde Road. With his foot pressed hard against the accelerator, Attias tore through the street at a reckless speed of 50 to 65 miles per hour, turning an ordinary vehicle into a deadly weapon.
The rampage left four young lives extinguished and a fifth critically injured. The victims were Nicholas Bourdakis and Christopher Divis, both 20-year-old UCSB students; 27-year-old Elie Israel, a resident of San Francisco; and Ruth Levy, a 20-year-old Santa Barbara City College student. Albert Arthur Levy, Ruth's brother, sustained severe injuries, including crushed legs and a battered head, leading to years of suffering until his eventual death in October 2016 due to seizures stemming from his injuries.
The Aftermath of the Carnage
In the immediate aftermath, as the dust began to settle, witnesses described a chilling scene. Attias emerged from the vehicle, proclaiming himself the "Angel of Death" as he taunted onlookers, a declaration that left even seasoned officers unnerved. The crowd's anger and disbelief grew until a California Highway Patrol officer managed to subdue him.
Speculation swirled about Attias's mental state and whether drugs played a role in his actions. Subsequent blood tests revealed traces of marijuana and Lidocaine in his system, though these substances were not deemed significant factors in the incident.
The Victims Remembered
The loss reverberated through the community. In memory of the victims, Little Acorn Park, which borders the intersection where the tragedy unfolded, became a place of reflection and remembrance. The community gathered to honor the lives lost too soon and to find solace in one another.
The Trial and Legal Proceedings
David Attias faced the weight of the law with charges including four counts of murder, four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and five counts of felony driving under the influence. As the case unfolded, it captured nationwide attention, not only due to the gruesome nature of the crime but also because of Attias's connection to Hollywood.
Witnesses from Attias's residence hall painted a picture of a troubled young man, known on campus for his erratic behavior and even earning the monikers "Crazy Dave" and "Tweaker" from his peers. His defense hinged on a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, setting the stage for a trial that would captivate and divide public opinion.
On June 11, 2002, following a jury trial, Attias was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder but was acquitted of driving under the influence. A week later, the jury ruled him legally insane, leading to a sentence of up to 60 years at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino.
A Controversial Release
While confined at Patton, Attias received treatment for substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. In May 2012, after a decade of institutionalization, he sought a transfer to an outpatient psychiatric facility, asserting that his bipolar disorder was under control. His request stirred fear and concern among survivors and the families of the victims, who worried about the potential for relapse.
Mental health professionals weighed in on the decision, and on September 4, 2012, Attias was granted a conditional release to a supervised "unlocked outpatient treatment program," a decision that sparked further debate and reflection on justice and rehabilitation.
Reflection and Unanswered Questions
The 2001 Isla Vista killings remain a haunting chapter in the community's history, a story of lives abruptly ended and the complex interplay between mental health and justice. As the community continues to remember and heal, questions linger about the nature of accountability and the possibility of redemption.
Sources
For further reading and detailed references, you can visit the original Wikipedia article on David Attias: Wikipedia URL.
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Vehicular Assault Occurs
David Attias drives his car into pedestrians, killing four and injuring a fifth.
Attias Arrested
David Attias is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder and DUI.
Attias Convicted
David Attias is convicted of four counts of second-degree murder.
Insanity Verdict
A jury finds David Attias legally insane, sentencing him to a mental institution.
Release Request Filed
David Attias requests transfer to an outpatient facility, claiming improved mental health.
Conditional Release Granted
David Attias is conditionally released to a supervised outpatient treatment program.
Fifth Victim Dies
Albert Arthur Levy, critically injured in the attack, dies from complications.
On February 23, 2001, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a vehicular homicide occurred in Isla Vista, California, when 18-year-old UCSB student David Attias drove his father's 1991 Saab 9000 at speeds between 50 to 65 miles per hour down Sabado Tarde Road, striking five pedestrians. The incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals: UCSB students Nicholas Bourdakis and Christopher Divis, San Francisco resident Elie Israel, and Santa Barbara City College student Ruth Levy; a fifth victim, Albert Arthur Levy, sustained critical injuries and later died in October 2016. Attias, who exited the vehicle and proclaimed, "I am the Angel of Death," was ruled legally insane and initially sentenced to 60 years in a mental institution, but was released in September 2012 after serving 10 years. Blood tests indicated he was under the influence of marijuana and Lidocaine at the time of the incident, although these substances were not deemed significant to the crime.
David Attias was believed to have been under the influence of drugs during the attack, leading to speculation about whether his mental state was exacerbated by substance use. Some community members questioned the adequacy of mental health interventions prior to his release, suggesting that he may have posed a continued risk to society. There are also theories that the incident could have been a cry for help or a result of deeper psychological issues stemming from his background.
The 2001 Isla Vista Tragedy: A Tale of Chaos and Controversy
A Night of Horror
On a seemingly ordinary evening in the vibrant student community of Isla Vista, California, near the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, chaos erupted. It was February 23, 2001, just past 11:00 p.m., when the tranquility of the night was shattered by a horrific act of violence. David Attias, an 18-year-old UCSB student and the son of renowned television director Dan Attias, drove a 1991 Saab 9000 down the crowded 6500 block of Sabado Tarde Road. With his foot pressed hard against the accelerator, Attias tore through the street at a reckless speed of 50 to 65 miles per hour, turning an ordinary vehicle into a deadly weapon.
The rampage left four young lives extinguished and a fifth critically injured. The victims were Nicholas Bourdakis and Christopher Divis, both 20-year-old UCSB students; 27-year-old Elie Israel, a resident of San Francisco; and Ruth Levy, a 20-year-old Santa Barbara City College student. Albert Arthur Levy, Ruth's brother, sustained severe injuries, including crushed legs and a battered head, leading to years of suffering until his eventual death in October 2016 due to seizures stemming from his injuries.
The Aftermath of the Carnage
In the immediate aftermath, as the dust began to settle, witnesses described a chilling scene. Attias emerged from the vehicle, proclaiming himself the "Angel of Death" as he taunted onlookers, a declaration that left even seasoned officers unnerved. The crowd's anger and disbelief grew until a California Highway Patrol officer managed to subdue him.
Speculation swirled about Attias's mental state and whether drugs played a role in his actions. Subsequent blood tests revealed traces of marijuana and Lidocaine in his system, though these substances were not deemed significant factors in the incident.
The Victims Remembered
The loss reverberated through the community. In memory of the victims, Little Acorn Park, which borders the intersection where the tragedy unfolded, became a place of reflection and remembrance. The community gathered to honor the lives lost too soon and to find solace in one another.
The Trial and Legal Proceedings
David Attias faced the weight of the law with charges including four counts of murder, four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and five counts of felony driving under the influence. As the case unfolded, it captured nationwide attention, not only due to the gruesome nature of the crime but also because of Attias's connection to Hollywood.
Witnesses from Attias's residence hall painted a picture of a troubled young man, known on campus for his erratic behavior and even earning the monikers "Crazy Dave" and "Tweaker" from his peers. His defense hinged on a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, setting the stage for a trial that would captivate and divide public opinion.
On June 11, 2002, following a jury trial, Attias was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder but was acquitted of driving under the influence. A week later, the jury ruled him legally insane, leading to a sentence of up to 60 years at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino.
A Controversial Release
While confined at Patton, Attias received treatment for substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. In May 2012, after a decade of institutionalization, he sought a transfer to an outpatient psychiatric facility, asserting that his bipolar disorder was under control. His request stirred fear and concern among survivors and the families of the victims, who worried about the potential for relapse.
Mental health professionals weighed in on the decision, and on September 4, 2012, Attias was granted a conditional release to a supervised "unlocked outpatient treatment program," a decision that sparked further debate and reflection on justice and rehabilitation.
Reflection and Unanswered Questions
The 2001 Isla Vista killings remain a haunting chapter in the community's history, a story of lives abruptly ended and the complex interplay between mental health and justice. As the community continues to remember and heal, questions linger about the nature of accountability and the possibility of redemption.
Sources
For further reading and detailed references, you can visit the original Wikipedia article on David Attias: Wikipedia URL.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Vehicular Assault Occurs
David Attias drives his car into pedestrians, killing four and injuring a fifth.
Attias Arrested
David Attias is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder and DUI.
Attias Convicted
David Attias is convicted of four counts of second-degree murder.
Insanity Verdict
A jury finds David Attias legally insane, sentencing him to a mental institution.
Release Request Filed
David Attias requests transfer to an outpatient facility, claiming improved mental health.
Conditional Release Granted
David Attias is conditionally released to a supervised outpatient treatment program.
Fifth Victim Dies
Albert Arthur Levy, critically injured in the attack, dies from complications.