CHP Seeks Witnesses Who Left Scene of Fatal Crash on Lakeville Hwy

The California Highway Patrol is looking for witnesses to a fatal crash that took place Thursday morning near Petaluma.

An 83-year-old man died in the crash when the Lexus he was driving slammed head-on into a BMW on Lakeville Highway, according to CHP officials.

The collision was reported around 11:45 a.m. on Lakeville Highway, an alternate name for state Highway 116 in the area, just south of Browns Lane, CHP officials said.

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The Lexus driver, a Granite Bay resident, was driving north at about 50-55 mph when he drifted into the southbound lane of the highway and slammed head-on into a BMW, according to the CHP. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The BMW driver, a 53-year-old Sea Ranch man, was extricated from the car and suffered major injuries.

A passenger in the Lexus, a 56-year-old woman, suffered moderate injuries. Both were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and are expected to survive, CHP officials said.

Investigators have not determined what caused the Lexus driver to drift into oncoming traffic but do not believe impairment was a factor, according to the CHP.

The roadway was closed until about 2 p.m. during the investigation into the crash. Investigators now believe some witnesses to the crash left the scene without speaking to officers.

They are asking anyone who might have witnessed the collision to call the CHP at (707) 588-1400.