Vanessa Rose Noblitt Sentenced to 9 Years, 8 Months in State Prison for DUI Crash That Killed Cyclist Saul Goldberg
Author: District Attorney
Date: 10/14/2026 12:42 PM
District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Venessa Rose Noblitt (45) was sentenced to state prison for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the 2024 fatal hit and run of Avila Beach resident Saul Goldberg.
District Attorney Dan Dow announced that Vanessa Rose Noblitt (DOB 10/31/1980) was sentenced on October 13, 2026, to 9 years and 8 months in state prison for the 2024 drunk-driving hit and run that took the life of 86-year-old cyclist Saul Goldberg and injured his longtime friend and riding companion, Martin Suits. The Honorable Rita Federman imposed the sentence in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Noblitt was remanded to the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
On September 15, 2026, Noblitt pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more causing injury, and hit and run. She admitted that her blood alcohol concentration was .15 percent or higher, admitted that she inflicted great bodily injury on each victim, and admitted the aggravating factor that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Her conviction for DUI causing great bodily injury is a violent strike offense under California's Three Strikes Law. The sentence is the maximum penalty allowed by law for the offenses and special allegations to which she pled guilty.
Around noon on July 23, 2024, Noblitt was driving southbound on South Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo when she drifted into the bike lane and struck Mr. Goldberg from the side as he and Mr. Suits rode together in the southbound bike lane. Both men went down. Mr. Suits suffered a concussion and other injuries, and Mr. Goldberg died from his injuries several days later. Noblitt left the scene and was arrested after she struck a parked car in a nearby mobile home park. Her blood alcohol concentration was determined to be .31 percent, nearly four times the legal limit.
Saul Goldberg was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. At the time of his death, he and his wife, Carol, had been married for 64 years and were planning to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in Australia that December.
In a victim impact statement read to the court at sentencing, Carol Goldberg said:
"I was married to Saul for 64 years. At the time of this tragedy, Saul and I were looking forward to celebrating our 65th wedding anniversary on December 5th in Australia. Every day now, I wake up to a reality I never chose: a life without my best friend and the love of my life. Through a reckless and selfish act, Vanessa Noblitt took the life not only of my husband, but also of a caring and generous father and grandfather."
She concluded, "I live each day carrying a loss that can never be repaired, and I will miss everything about Saul for the rest of my life."
"Saul Goldberg should have finished his bike ride that day and gone home to the family who loved him," said District Attorney Dan Dow. "Instead, a choice to drive with a blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit took him from his wife of 64 years, his children, and his grandchildren, and left his friend injured on the side of the road. Our hearts are with Mrs. Goldberg, the Goldberg family, and Mr. Suits. I am grateful for the courage they showed in standing up for Saul throughout this case. No sentence can repair a loss like this, but our criminal and victim justice system has held this defendant accountable with an appropriate prison sentence. To everyone in our community: the decision to drive impaired is always avoidable. Please plan ahead for a sober ride."
Before the plea agreement, prosecutors consulted closely with Mr. Suits and Mr. Goldberg's immediate family, who supported the resolution of the case. The court also ordered Noblitt to pay restitution to the victims in an amount to be determined. A restitution status hearing is set for January 12, 2027.
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Delaney Henretty. Victim support services were provided by Victim Advocate Tristan Milledge and Witness Coordinator Eloiza Basinger.
Here is a copy of the defendant's booking photo. Here is a copy of the charging document.
Victims of crime and their families in San Luis Obispo County can contact the District Attorney's Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center at (805) 781-5821 for support, information, and help navigating the criminal and victim justice system.
Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.
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