Pedestrian Struck, Killed In Santa Rosa Crosswalk: Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Rosa woman was struck and killed Wednesday evening while walking in a crosswalk. The fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision was reported just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the area of South Wright Road and Finley Avenue, Santa Rosa police said in a statement issued late Wednesday night. Officers arrived to find the victim, identified as Barbara Jones, 56, down in the roadway, unresponsive and suffering from significant injuries, police.

Medical personnel pronounced Jones dead at the scene.

Police shut down S. Wright Road and began searching for the vehicle involved in the collision. Witnesses had told 911 dispatchers the car, possibly a minivan, had driven off after hitting the woman. The car headed northbound on S. Wright Road toward Highway 12, witnesses said.

About 20 minutes after officers first arrived at the scene the driver called 911 to report the collision, then returned to the scene to speak with officers, police said. The 28-year-old Sebastopol man told police he had been driving northbound on S. Wright and was approaching Price Avenue when he struck the woman. He told officers he "did not see Jones in the crosswalk and could not avoid colliding with her," police said.

According to police, a preliminary investigation indicated Jones was crossing S. Wright westbound, in the crosswalk north of Price.

"At the time of the collision, it was also dark outside due to the time of day," police said. "... It is unclear at this time as to why he fled the scene and did not stop. The investigation is ongoing. It has yet to be determined if speed or impairment may have contributed to the collision."

The Sebastopol resident was interviewed at the Santa Rosa Police Department; pending further investigation, he was released, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact Traffic Officer Josh Kertianis at 707-543-3636.

Photos courtesy Santa Rosa Police Department