Authorities ID 24-Year-Old Woman Killed In Hwy 12 Crash In Santa Rosa

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office identified a woman who died Wednesday morning from injuries suffered in a crash on state Highway 12 in Santa Rosa as Alani Aguilar, 24, of Santa Rosa.

Aguilar was driving a Nissan Versa eastbound on SR-12 around 8 a.m. Wednesday when she was rear-ended by a delivery box truck driver near the Dutton Avenue off-ramp.

The impact pushed the Versa toward the guardrail on the right shoulder, where it overturned and she became trapped, the California Highway Patrol said.

Aguilar was rushed to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where she died from her injuries.

The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated the box truck driver was behind Aguilar in the right eastbound lane and was traveling near the speed limit at 50-55 mph as he approached heavy traffic ahead.

At that point, eastbound traffic in the right lane ahead of the box truck was backed up from the on-ramp to southbound U.S. Highway 101, CHP Officer David deRutte said.

"The driver of the box truck failed to notice the slower traffic ahead," deRutte said. "At the last moment, the box truck driver swerved to the left to avoid the Nissan."

However, the front of the box truck hit the back left of the Nissan, the CHP said.

The box truck continued out of control along eastbound SR-12 and crashed into four more cars before it overturned onto its side.

The driver of the box truck suffered minor injuries and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Of the other four drivers, some suffered minor injuries while others were not hurt in the incident.

Reached Friday, the CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol were suspected as factors.

"No DUI suspected," deRutte told Patch. "We are investigating possible distracted driving as a factor."

'The World Lost A Special Soul'

A memorial page set up on GoFundMe described Aguilar as a "kind, gentle and funny but also no-nonsense" person who was excited to be enrolling in a dental hygienist program in the fall.

"The world lost a special soul when Alani died unexpectedly on August 10, 2022. She was kind, gentle, and funny but also no-nonsense; she brought joy and light to all who knew her and always knew how to make people feel welcome. She was dedicated to her family, helping them in any way she could. She was excited to be enrolling in a dental hygenist program in the Fall, and we were excited to see her achieve her dreams. She is gone far too soon, and all who knew and loved her are devastated. Funeral expenses happen all at once; covering those costs is difficult for most people. I considered Alani part of our family, and she considered us part of hers - in her memory, I am now doing all I can to help. Please join me in supporting her family so they do not need to worry about one more thing at this challenging time and can give Alani the funeral service she deserves. Jannelle Rivera, Alani's sister, who is organizing Alani's funeral, will accept all funds."

As of Friday afternoon, more than $18,000 was raised toward the goal of $25,000 for her funeral expenses.