Suspected DUI, Wrong-Way Driver Charged In Fatal Hwy 101 Crash

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office today charged a woman with murder, DUI involving a drug, and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated but without gross negligence in connection with a wrong-way driving crash that killed a Windsor man early Friday morning on U.S. Highway 101.

Sherry Risch, a 53-year-old Sonoma County resident, was arraigned but delayed entering a plea this afternoon. She will have a mental competence exam by a psychologist and will return to court Aug. 15 for a hearing on the results.

More than two dozen people wearing photos of the crash victim, Daniel Adams, 56, filled the hallway outside of the courtroom.

Risch was driving a 2005 Kia Rio south on northbound Highway 101 around 12:10 a.m. Friday when she collided with the left side of a northbound 2001 Honda Odyssey van north of Airport Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Both vehicles spun out of control and the Honda came to rest in the center divider and far left lane.

Risch's Kia came to rest in the two left lanes, and Adams' 2016 BMW motorcycle struck the Kia in the No. 2 lane. Adams was ejected into the No. 2 lane and was later pronounced dead, according to the CHP.

Risch appeared intoxicated and suffered moderate injuries. She was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital before she was booked into Sonoma County Jail around 8:30 a.m. She is being held under no bail.

The 44-year-old driver of the Honda suffered moderate injuries, and a passenger in the Honda suffered major injuries that required immediate surgery. Both are from San Francisco, and they were taken to Santa Rosa
Memorial Hospital, CHP officials said. Deputy District Attorney Laura Passaglia said this afternoon they were still alive.

The CHP began receiving calls at 12:08 a.m. about a wrong-way driver on the highway at Healdsburg Avenue, and the crash closed the highway until around 4:40 a.m.

Passaglia said the complaint against Risch contains enhancements alleging great bodily injury or death, multiple victims and prior DUI convictions.

Sonoma County Superior Court records list 28 cases and 11 warrants against Risch since Oct. 25, 1995. The complaint filed today mentions prior convictions for DUI that occurred on March 4, 1999 and on Sept. 14, 2011.

The court record also contains numerous violations and reinstatements of probation, and suspensions and reinstatements of criminal proceedings after mental competence exams.

One of the many people who wore photos of Adams at the arraignment today said funeral services are scheduled for Aug. 25.

"This is just a small amount of people here compared to who will be at the service. It shows how much Danny meant to people," she said.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Motorcyclist Killed In Wrong-Way DUI Crash On US Highway 101: CHP

• ALSO SEE: Probation For Rohnert Park Mom In Crash That Killed Daughters

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