Healdsburg Man Died In Solo Crash Near Santa Rosa

The Sonoma County coroner’s office has identified the driver who died in a solo vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 101 south of Santa Rosa early this morning as 32-year-old Ben Putnam of Healdsburg.

Putnam was driving a silver 1992 Ford Explorer south on Highway 101 just south of Todd Road around 12:30 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

[Previous: All Lanes Reopened on Southbound Hwy 101 After Fatal Accident.]

A witness said the Ford was traveling at about 65 mph in the No. 3 lane when it veered to the right and off of the road.

The Ford became airborne and struck the end of a metal guardrail on the west side of the highway, CHP officials said.

The roof of the Ford was crushed when it then struck a large redwood tree, trapping Putnam in the driver’s seat, according to the CHP.

Putnam was wearing a seat belt but there were no airbags in the SUV, CHP officials said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:43 a.m. The crash closed two lanes of the highway for two hours during the investigation and cleanup, according to the CHP, which is investigating whether alcohol was involved in the crash.

--Bay City News