Pedestrian Fatally Hit As Car Crashes Into Building: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A pedestrian was struck and killed Friday in Santa Rosa by a car that police believe was trying to pass another car but ended up hitting the pedestrian and then, a building. The fatal incident was reported at 3:49 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, on Cleveland Avenue at State Farm Drive, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Chad Heiser said in a news release.

A preliminary investigation revealed the pedestrian was struck when a silver Subaru BRZ driven by a 20-year-old Santa Rosa man went airborne after colliding with a red Lexus SC300 driven by an 18-year-old Santa Rosa man.

The pedestrian — found near a driveway on the west side of Cleveland, just south of the vehicles — was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The pedestrian has been identified as Juanmin Liao, 58, of Santa Rosa, according to Sgt. Juan Valencia of the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.

The intersection was closed for three hours Friday as the traffic investigators pieced together what happened.

Emergency personnel found the Subaru with major damage, lodged into an office building on the west side of Cleveland Avenue.

The Lexus was still in the roadway and had minor body damage.

Based on evidence at the scene and witness statements, Heiser said traffic investigators determined the Lexus was traveling eastbound on State Farm and stopped at the T-intersection at Cleveland as another, non-involved car turned right from southbound Cleveland on westbound State Farm.

"As this vehicle made its turn, the driver of the Lexus began a right-hand turn onto southbound Cleveland Avenue from eastbound State Farm Drive," Heiser said.

Traffic investigators believe the Subaru driver was traveling southbound in the slow lane of Cleveland and was approaching State Farm at an unknown speed when he decided to pass the non-involved vehicle by transitioning from the slow lane to the fast lane.

"The Subaru then immediately transitioned back into the slow lane as it passed the uninvolved vehicle," Heiser said. "The Lexus had just begun to enter Cleveland Avenue when the driver saw the Subaru approaching at the last second."

The Lexus driver swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision with the Subaru, but as the Subaru continued southbound it struck the the front driver side of the Lexus, Heiser said.

"The Subaru lost control and swerved into the curb on the west side of the road," Heiser said. "The Subaru continued onto the sidewalk and into the building at 2999 Cleveland Avenue. At some point after the Subaru left the roadway, it struck a pedestrian who was on the sidewalk."

The investigation is continuing; anyone with information about the fatal incident is encouraged to call Officer Mike Mieger of the Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Team at 707-543-3636.

"Both drivers are cooperating with the investigation," Heiser said. "There is no indication that alcohol was a factor in the collision."