1 dead, child hospitalized in suspected traffic accident near Santa Rosa, CHP says

SANTA ROSA – A woman was killed while a child and a man remain in the hospital in a suspected traffic accident Saturday in Santa Rosa, the California Highway Patrol said.

Around 2 p.m., reports were received that a driver of a Mazda SUV was traveling south on Stony Point Road and intentionally struck another vehicle multiple times, the CHP said.

The vehicle that was hit was then pushed into oncoming traffic.

The driver, a man and a child in a car seat in the backseat were taken to the hospital, officials said. Her current condition is unknown.

A woman in the passenger seat died at the scene of the accident.

The suspect then drove off and was involved in another accident on Highway 101 toward Petaluma, where officials said he intentionally hit another car. The driver of that vehicle was also taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

After the accident, the suspect’s vehicle was disabled. Officials said the suspect tried to run away but was later taken into custody.

The suspect is also believed to have been involved in another crash on Highway 12 in Santa Rosa, according to the CHP. No injuries were reported in this accident.

Officers say they are investigating the suspect for drunk driving and mental health issues. His ID has yet to be released.