Moped Rider Killed In Bennett Valley Road Crash: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — One person died Thursday in a collision between a moped and a pickup truck on Bennett Valley Road, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. The deadly crash happened at about 12:20 p.m. on Bennett Valley at Grange Road, CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat said.

A 66-year-old Santa Rosa man was driving a 2006 Vespa — a moped-type bike — westbound on Bennett Valley behind a Dodge truck when the female driver of the truck made a turning movement that caused the bike to collide with the truck, Sloat said.

The driver of the truck, a 64-year-old Santa Rosa woman, slowed and pulled to the right shoulder in anticipation of making a u-turn to proceed east on Bennett Valley Road, Sloat said. As she attempted to make the u-turn, the front left of her vehicle impacted the Vespa, throwing the rider off the bike and onto the ground, according to Sloat.

The Vespa rider was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from injuries suffered in the crash, Sloat said. His identity will be released once his family members are notified.

Neither the driver of the Dodge nor her passenger suffered injuries, Sloat said.

As of 2:20 p.m., one-way traffic control was still in effect at the scene.

CHP was still investigating the crash but did not believe drugs or alcohol were factors.

The driver of the Dodge has been co-operative with investigators, Sloat said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to call the CHP at 707-588-1400.

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch