Driver Dies In Cloverdale Crash: CHP

CLOVERDALE, CA — A Cloverdale man died after crashing his car early Tuesday morning on River Road in Cloverdale, the California Highway Patrol reported. CHP Officer David deRutte said in a news release that preliminary investigation indicated the Cloverdale resident, identified as 26-year-old Seth Lambert, was driving a 2004 Honda Pilot at about 12:30 a.m. northbound on River Road when he lost control of the SUV south of Cedar Lane.

The SUV traveled off the roadway and collided with a tree, deRutte said.

Lambert, as well as his right-front passenger, a 21-year-old Geyserville woman, were taken by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital — Lambert for treatment of major injuries and his passenger for minor injuries.

"At 5:16 a.m., CHP investigators were notified that Lambert had passed away at the hospital," deRutte said.

CHP investigators believe Lambert was traveling at an unsafe speed as he approached a left curve in the roadway and lost control of the SUV.

"Based on the condition of the driver seat belt and the statement of [the] passenger ... it appears Lambert was not wearing a seat belt at the time of collision," deRutte said.

Photo credit: Shutterstock