Petaluma Man Identified In Fatal Bodega Avenue Crash

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — UPDATED: A Petaluma resident died Wednesday morning when he crashed his pick-up truck in an unincorporated area of Sonoma County west of Petaluma, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office. The 83-year-old was driving a Chevy Colorado on Bodega Avenue east of Middle Two Rock Road when witnesses say he drifted off the roadway, CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat said.

CHP officers responded to the scene at about 7:40 a.m. where the truck had crashed into a drainage culvert.

" ... The driver was unrestrained and had suffered significant injuries," Sloat said. "He was declared deceased at the scene."

Following notification of his next of kin, county coroner's officials identified the deceased Wednesday afternoon as Donald Lawrence Sartori.

CHP is investigating the fatal crash.

Witnesses told CHP officers the truck was being driven normally prior to drifting off the roadway and crashing.

"The investigation will look into whether a medical emergency occurred prior to the vehicle running off of the road," Sloat said.

Patch file photo via Renee Schiavone