Car Racing 100MPH Crashes Off Hwy 12, Lands In Safeway Parking Lot: PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A driver was believed to be racing another car early Wednesday on state Highway 12 when he went crashed and went off the roadway, landing in a Safeway parking lot, Santa Rosa police said.

Officers from the Santa Rosa Police Department responded at 12:43 a.m. Wednesday to reports that a black Infiniti was traveling at speeds greater than 90-100 mph in the area of westbound SR-12 and Calistoga Road before it left the roadway.

"The driver of the Infiniti was conscious upon arrival of officers on scene but was pinned inside the vehicle," Santa Rosa police Sgt. Matt Crosbie said. "Santa Rosa Fire and Sonoma Life Support arrived and quickly worked to extricate the driver and solo occupant of the Infiniti."

The driver was taken to a local hospital for treatment of major injuries to his upper body and head. He was listed in stable condition, Crosbie said.

Initial reports indicated the driver was racing a second vehicle along the roadway when he lost control of the Infiniti sedan before striking the center median and traveling across the No. 1 and No. 2 westbound lanes of Highway 12, the sergeant said.

The Infiniti crashed into several trees and landscaping as it came to rest in the Safeway parking lot.

Police said the investigation was ongoing Wednesday morning as they worked to positively identify the male driver and determine if alcohol played a factor. Anyone with information was asked to contact SRPD Officer Ken Ferrigno at 707-543-3636.