Woman Dies In Possible DUI-Related, Head-On Crash On Hwy 101 At Sonoma County Line

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – A woman died when her car was struck head-on by a suspected drunk driver on U.S. Highway 101 near the Sonoma/Marin county line early this morning, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The crash was reported at 1:11 a.m., shortly after the CHP received reports of a car going the wrong way in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near San Antonio Road, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said.

A few minutes later, there was a three-car crash in that area.

According to the preliminary investigation by the CHP, two cars collided head-on. Both cars were blocking the highway with their lights off when the driver of a delivery truck couldn't see them and crashed as well.

One of the drivers in the head-on crash was taken by helicopter to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa. The other driver was taken to Marin General Hospital where she died, Barclay said.

The delivery truck driver was taken to Marin General as well with minor injuries.

Investigators interviewed the woman taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital and she appeared to be intoxicated. After a DUI evaluation she was arrested, Barclay said.

The CHP is still working to confirm her identity and determine whether she was going the wrong way on the highway.

• Also see: Take Note: When Traveling With 108 Pounds Of Marijuana, Don't Tailgate; Air Freshener Is No Help

--Bay City News/File photo