Petaluma Man Dies In Off-Road Crash

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The California Highway Patrol identified a person who died in a weekend crash involving an off-road vehicle near Petaluma as Garrett Hughes, 21, of Petaluma. According to the CHP, Hughes was the driver of a 2017 Yamaha Rhino Side-by-Side ATV that overturned Saturday night in a grassy field on a Chapman Lane property near Sauter Road, just east of city Petaluma city limits.

CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat said Hughes and two passengers in the quad, ages 19 and 20, also of Petaluma were not wearing seatbelts or helmets when the crash occurred at about 9:05 p.m.

Preliminary investigation of the scene indicated Hughes was "spinning the rear wheels of the side-by-side while driving in a counter-clockwise direction and following a makeshift circular track," according to Sloat.

"Due to the speed and possible intoxication of Hughes, the side-by-side rolled over," Sloat said.

Hughes suffered head trauma and was declared deceased at the scene by Petaluma Fire Department personnel, the officer said.

His two passengers complained of pain but declined to be transported to a hospital, according to Sloat.

Image via Shutterstock