Driver Dies In Fiery Crash Off US 101 Near Healdsburg: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A person died when their pickup truck went off U.S. Highway 101 and caught fire Wednesday night north of Healdsburg, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched at 11:18 p.m. to northbound 101, north of Lytton Springs Road, where a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was fully engulfed in flames, CHP Spokesman David deRutte said.

"Fire personnel extinguished the fire but unfortunately the driver was pronounced deceased," deRutte said.

CHP's preliminary investigation indicated the truck was traveling northbound on the 101 when for unknown reasons, it veered to the right onto the shoulder.

"The Chevrolet collided with trees and brush before coming to a stop," deRutte said. "Shortly thereafter, a fire started, and the Chevrolet became engulfed in flames."

The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office is expected to release the identity of the driver once next of kin have been properly notified.

Anyone who may have information about the fatal collision is asked to call the Santa Rosa CHP office at 707-588-1400.