Woman Dies In Crash With Box Truck On Hwy 12 In Santa Rosa: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A woman died from injuries she suffered Wednesday morning when a delivery box truck rear-ended her Nissan Versa on state Highway 12 in Santa Rosa, the California Highway Patrol said.

The collision involving the box truck, the Versa and four other cars was reported at 8 a.m. Wednesday on eastbound SR-12 at the Dutton Avenue off-ramp, CHP Officer David deRutte said.

"Upon arrival of emergency personnel and CHP, the female driver of a Nissan Versa was extricated from her vehicle with major injuries," deRutte said. "She was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries."

The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office was expected to release the woman's identity once her family members were properly notified of her death.

The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated the delivery box truck was traveling eastbound on SR-12 approaching Dutton Avenue in the right lane. The box truck was traveling near the speed limit of 50-55 mph and was approaching heavy traffic ahead.

Eastbound traffic in the right lane ahead of the box truck was backed up from the on-ramp to southbound U.S. Highway 101, deRutte said.

The Nissan Versa was in front of the box truck in the right lane and was traveling under 10 mph, according to the CHP's investigation.

"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, which pushed the Nissan toward the right shoulder where it overturned onto a guardrail, 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.

A Sig-alert was issued at 8:48 a.m.; both eastbound lanes were blocked and traffic was diverted off the highway via Dutton Avenue.

The Sig-Alert was lifted at 10:41 a.m. and all lanes were reopened.

The CHP asked anyone who has information regarding the crash to contact the Santa Rosa CHP Office at 707-588-1400.