1 Dead In Bennett Valley Crash: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Bennett Valley Road has reopened following a crash Friday morning that left one person dead as Sonoma County roadways were slick from rain. The fatal collision involving a Toyota Yaris and a Mercedes E350 sedan was reported at about 7:50 a.m. near Carrithers Road, according to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson.

CHP's preliminary investigation of the two-vehicle collision, which included witness statements, indicated a 37-year-old woman was driving the Toyota eastbound on Bennett Valley Road at "a speed unsafe for the wet roadway conditions," CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat said.

She lost control of her car and it slid sideways into the oncoming lane, where it was struck by a Mercedes before overturning, Sloat said.

A Santa Rosa woman driving the Mercedes could not avoid hitting the Toyota and suffered minor to moderate injuries in the crash, Sloat said.

Witnesses "immediately stopped to render aid" until personnel with the Bennett Valley Fire District arrived, Sloat said.

Paramedics were not able to revive the Toyota driver.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, Sloat said.

The Mercedes driver was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries described as minor to moderate.

Bennett Valley Road was closed until about 10:30 a.m. as authorities investigated the crash.

The identity of the deceased driver will be released once her family members are properly notified.

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