Healdsburg Teen Arrested In Fatal Sonoma County Crash: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A 19-year-old man died in a crash Sunday near Highway 116 in the Graton area of Sonoma County and the 18-year-old driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of DUI, the California Highway Patrol said.

Officers responded around 11:20 a.m. Sunday to the fatal crash on Oak Grove Avenue, south of Highway 116. The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated the driver of a Toyota Camry sedan was speeding as he headed southbound on Oak Grove.

The driver then lost control of the Camry and went off the roadway where the Camry collided with a tree, causing major damage to the car and injuries to the people inside it, the CHP said.

A 19-year-old man riding in the front passenger seat suffered fatal injuries. His identity was expected to be released by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's office once his next of kin was properly notified.

The driver, identified Monday by the CHP as Pedro Lopez Santos of Healdsburg, was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Officers recognized signs and symptoms of suspected alcohol intoxication in the driver and placed Santos under arrest.

Santos was released by the hospital and booked into Sonoma County jail on felony charges. Jail records indicated he was no longer in custody Monday afternoon.