Coroner Identifies Driver Killed In Crash On Rohnert Park Expressway

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A woman who died Friday in a head-on collision near the Rohnert Park city limits was identified Monday as a Petaluma resident.

Mary Ann Diaz-Moreno, 78, died at the hospital following the wreck, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.

The California Highway Patrol responded at 1:53 p.m. Friday to the crash on Rohnert Park Expressway, east of Stony Point Road, CHP Officer David deRutte said.

The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated a Turlock man was driving a white Ford Ranger pickup eastbound on Rohnert Park Expressway and Diaz-Moreno was driving a gray Honda CRV SUV westbound on the roadway when it appeared the Ford driver made an unsafe turning movement to the left.

The Ford crossed into the opposing lane, directly in front of the Honda, and a head-on crash occurred, deRutte said.

Both drivers suffered major injuries and became trapped in their cars. Fire personnel freed the drivers from the wreckage, then both patients were rushed to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

"The driver of the Honda passed away upon arrival at the hospital," deRutte said.

Authorities asked anyone with information about the crash to contact the Santa Rosa CHP Office at 707-588-1400.