1 Dead, 6 Injured In Sonoma County Head-On Collision: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — One person died and six people were injured in a head-on collision late Saturday northeast of Santa Rosa on Porter Creek Road.

The California Highway Patrol was alerted shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday about the crash involving a Ford Fusion and a Toyota Highlander near Franz Valley Road.

"It was reported that one of the vehicles had several children inside," CHP Officer David deRutte said. "Fire personnel arrived on scene and reported one fatality."

The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated a woman was alone in the Ford and was driving westbound on Porter Creek Road and a Calistoga woman was driving the Toyota eastbound on Porter Creek Road with five children ages 8-12 in the car.

"It appears the Ford drifted into the opposite lane, directly into the path of travel of the Toyota," deRutte said. "There was no space or time for [the Toyota driver] to maneuver to avoid a collision."

The Ford collided head-on with the Toyota and the two cars stopped in the eastbound lane facing each other.

The Ford driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name was not yet released Monday morning by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.

The Toyota driver and all five children were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries.

"This investigation is ongoing including the level of sobriety of the driver of the Ford," deRutte said.

The CHP asked anyone with information regarding the crash to call the Santa Rosa CHP Office at 707-588-1400.