DUI Suspected In Fatal US 101 Rollover Crash: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Windsor resident was killed late Wednesday night on U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Rosa in a rollover crash authorities believe was caused when a suspected drunk driver slammed into the back of the victim's car, the California Highway Patrol reported.

At about 10:59 p.m. Wednesday, CHP officers were dispatched to southbound 101 south of River Road where a blue Honda Civic was overturned on the right shoulder, with a silver Ford Fusion blocking the right lane, CHP Spokesman David deRutte said in a news release.

"Santa Rosa Fire arrived on scene and the driver of the Honda was pronounced deceased on scene," deRutte said.

The deceased driver has since been identified by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's office as 45-year-old Rosa Lua, of Windsor.

The driver of the Ford, identified by CHP as 31-year-old Fernando Aguilera of Santa Rosa, who has been convicted of DUI twice before, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of DUI, deRutte said.

"Preliminary investigation indicates Aguilera was driving the Ford on southbound US-101 and approached the slower moving Honda," deRutte said. "The front of the Ford collided with the rear of the Honda causing it to leave the roadway. The Honda collided with a guardrail and subsequently rolled before colliding with a perimeter fence and tree."

Aguilera was ultimately booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of homicide, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony DUI and felony DUI above the legal limit, according to the CHP.

Jail records showed Aguilera was being held without bail pending a court appearance set for Friday afternoon.

"The Sonoma County on-call District Attorney responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation into appropriate criminal charges," deRutte said.