A five-car accident that occurred yesterday afternoon at southbound U.S. Highway 101 and Old Redwood Highway/Healdsburg Avenue exit just south of Healdsburg has left one person dead and others with minor to moderate injuries, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) Public Information Officer David deRutte.
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 1:02 p.m. on Feb. 7, and preliminary investigation indicates the accident occurred after a Dodge pickup collided with a Subaru after traveling at unsafe speeds.
According to a CHP press release, Santa Rosa resident Todd Beth, 47, was traveling in his Dodge pickup truck on southbound U.S. Highway 101 at unsafe speeds ahead of slowing traffic, which was slowing for roadway construction.
According to the press release, the construction was further south of the accident and both southbound lanes were open at the time.
“The Dodge didn’t slow while approaching slower moving vehicles and collided with a white Subaru and a black Hyundai Tucson. The black Hyundai sustained major rear-end damage and was pushed out of control to the right. The black Hyundai impacted a guardrail and then veered back into the lanes of traffic where it collided with a Chevrolet pickup,” the press release states. “After impact from the Dodge, the white Subaru was pushed to the right where it collided with a blue Hyundai. It appears the black Hyundai, the Subaru, the blue Hyundai, and the Chevrolet pickup were driving with the pace of traffic which was slowing for a construction zone ahead.”
The black Hyundai Tucson had three female occupants. An unnamed female who was in the rear seat of the Tucson at the time of the crash was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver and the front passenger were transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
The CHP press release says Beth is cooperating with the investigation and was also transported to the hospital for minor injuries. No injuries were reported by other parties involved in the accident.
At this time, CHP does not believe drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash.
According to a Nixle alert that was sent out by the city of Healdsburg yesterday at 1:52 p.m., the crash had closed the highway and required a detour of traffic and drivers were advised to avoid the area.
According to a social media post by the Healdsburg Police Department, since the highway was closed, traffic was detoured through the city of Healdsburg, resulting in major gridlock throughout downtown Healdsburg.
Both lanes of U.S. Highway 101 near Old Redwood Highway/Healdsburg Avenue were reopened yesterday evening around 5:18 p.m., according to a Healdsburg Nixle alert.
According to the CHP press release, any inquiries regarding the identification of the deceased should be directed to the Sonoma County Coroner’s office. The CHP is interested in speaking with any witnesses who may have information regarding the crash or the events leading up to it.
People with information should call the Santa Rosa CHP Office at (707)588-1400.
