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A Paso Robles man is behind bars after authorities say he used a front‑loader tractor to repeatedly smash a car with a woman still inside, then continued crushing the vehicle even after she escaped. The incident, which unfolded Saturday afternoon in Santa Maria, has drawn widespread attention for its unusual and violent nature.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call just after 2 p.m. in the 1700 block of Sinton Road. Callers reported seeing a man driving a large agricultural tractor directly into a parked Hyundai Tiburon, ignoring the fact that a woman was seated in the driver’s seat. When deputies arrived, they found the car nearly flattened, with the tractor’s bucket resting on top of the wreckage.
The suspect, identified as 38‑year‑old Levi Gaze, allegedly became enraged following an argument with the woman. Witnesses told investigators that Gaze first used the front loader to ram the car multiple times while the woman was trapped inside. She managed to crawl out through a shattered window moments before Gaze used the bucket to crush the roof and hood, causing extensive damage. Despite the terrifying ordeal, the woman was not seriously injured and declined medical treatment at the scene.
Deputies said they arrested Gaze while he was still seated on the tractor, making no attempt to flee. A records check revealed he had an outstanding no‑bail warrant from San Luis Obispo County on unrelated charges. He was booked into the Northern Branch Jail on felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism, with bail set at $100,000.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday that the case “highlights the extreme danger of using heavy machinery as a weapon.” Sergeant Steven Wilson, a spokesperson for the department, added that the quick actions of the 911 callers and the responding deputies prevented what could have been a fatal outcome. “The victim’s ability to escape seconds before the final crushing blow is nothing short of remarkable,” Wilson said.
Legal experts say the assault charge carries a potential sentence of up to four years in state prison, with additional time for the vandalism charge and the outstanding warrant. “Using a tractor in this manner elevates the crime from a simple assault to a highly aggravated form of violence,” said criminal defense attorney Maria Torres of Fresno, who is not involved in the case. “Prosecutors will almost certainly treat this as a strike under California’s Three Strikes law if the defendant has prior convictions.”
Court records show Gaze has a history of minor offenses, including a DUI arrest in 2022, but no prior violent felonies. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday in Santa Maria Superior Court. The victim, whose name has not been released, has been offered counseling services through a local victim advocacy group.
The case has sparked discussion about the potential for agricultural machinery to be used in domestic violence incidents. Rural areas in California’s Central Coast often have easy access to tractors, backhoes, and other heavy equipment, raising concerns among safety advocates. “We need to raise awareness that these machines are not toys, and they can be turned into deadly weapons in the wrong hands,” said Linda Ortiz, director of the Central Coast Domestic Violence Coalition.
Deputies are still investigating the motive behind the argument that led to the rampage. Neighbors reported hearing loud shouting before the sound of metal crunching. One neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said, “I came outside and saw the tractor going back and forth. I thought it was a construction accident until I saw the woman running.”
The Hyundai Tiburon was a total loss, according to the sheriff’s office. Gaze remains in custody, and his next court appearance is expected later this week.
This report is based on information from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and court records. Updated April 18, 2026.
