A fatal accident occurred on Highway 101 in Santa Rosa when a driver, heading in the wrong direction, collided head-on with oncoming traffic. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident started unfolding at 9:44 p.m. when alarmed motorists dialed 911 to report a Nissan Sentra driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Dutcher Creek Road.
Shortly after the initial call, witnesses reported a head-on collision involving the wrong-way vehicle. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene to find two vehicles with significant damage. Both vehicles caught fire but were quickly extinguished by fire personnel.
The CHP’s preliminary investigation found that the Nissan Sentra, traveling in the wrong direction, crashed head-on into a GMC Yukon, causing severe damage to both vehicles. The driver of the GMC Yukon was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries.
This chilling incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards motorists face on the road. It demonstrates the importance of alertness while driving and the vital role emergency services play in such dire situations.